posted November 20, 2008
Is a monopoly good? In the Oct. 30 issue of the TFP it was reported that Comcast profit rose 38%." The article went on to say that "They (Comcast) expect to exceed its free cash flow growth by 20% in fiscal 2008."
Comcast has recently changed the channel lineup in a way that in order for me to receive the same channels I had before the change I have to "upgrade to a higher price tier." This would mean a $41.51 increase in my cable bill. In the new channel lineup they sent out under the overall heading of Information regarding Your Cable TV Service they make this statement: If I find this change unacceptable I have the right to cancel my service."
So much for customer service. Please hurry AT&T and EPB.
Ben Brychta
* * *
Comcast continually strives to provide the best video, internet and telephone experience for our customers.
In order to achieve this goal, three channels that were previously offered on our Expanded Basic Service were moved to our Digital Starter package. I do want to point out that the price for the Expanded Basic Service and the Digital Starter package are identical.
Comcast also offers a complimentary digital cable box for customers who make the transition to the Digital Starter package.
Our customers are our number one priority and we will always strive to provide them with the best products and services.
Laurie Shipley
Chattanooga Comcast
Manager of Government Affairs
* * *
Laurie Shipley,
You state that the price for Comcast Expanded Basic Service and the Digital Starter package are identical, and that you offer a complimentary digital cable box for customers who make the transition to the Digital Starter package. That sounds great. But...
What you fail to mention - or at least this is what I was told by Comcast customer (dis)service - is that only the first digital cable box is free. If the customers want to watch digital cable on any of their other televisions they will have to rent one (for each television) at about $5 per box per month.
In other words... Comcast created another way to make us pay more just to keep the programming we had.
If I'm wrong, please let me know. I'm just repeating what I was told by a Comcast representative.
I'm with you, Ben. I can't wait to drop Comcast. Too bad our government officials have allowed them to have the cable monopoly. Some competition might have forced them to keep their prices down and possibly even improved their service. Personally, I'm hoping EPB will start their test market in my area. I'm willing to be EPB's Cavia Porcellus.
Greg Pack
Hixson
* * *
Ms. Shipley,
There is one thing I'm curious about. When you latest rate increase was announced, it was stated the increase was due to the increased costs of programming. The same excuse was used for your last increase, and the increase before that, and before that, and so on. I have really found that to be interesting.
I get my programming through a satellite service provider. I receive more stations to select from than you provide. Those stations include the NFL network, among others too numerous to mention here. My reception is much better than what I had with your cable network, as is my sound. I have been thrilled with my service.
In the years I have been with my satellite provider, I have only had one $5 rate increase. That occurred three or four years ago. Since then, there has been no mention of a rate increase. I find it curious that Comcast, the nation’s largest cable television provider, would have programming rate increases every year, and my DirecTV doesn't.
I too am anxious to see what the EPB and AT&T are able to provide locally. I want to see what their packages are, along with their cost and reception. But, they will have to have one heck of a system to lure me away from my satellite.
Rod Dagnan
Hixson
* * *
Comcast has gotten themselves a monopoly in this area. For the past few years, Comcast has raised rates twice a year and given less service for the higher fees. They claim that they are giving more services and channels to those who pay. In the past year, they have taken away at least 50 channels and moved quite a few channels to the digital arena. So far they are raised rates in excess of 200% in the past 10 years from where they was then. I have a friend of mine who has said that there are several channels that aren't available to those with Comcast. Most of them are local channels that are broadcasting multiple signals that only satellite can pick up.
In their commercials for digital voice service, they show you ordinary phones but they leave the important facts out such as if the power goes out so does the phone even though the modem which the phone plugs into has a battery backup and buying new phones to replace the ones you originally had.
It's past time that Comcast has competition and I am not talking about satellite or DSL.
Bobby Stanley
Hixson
* * *
Mr. Pack, my understanding is the same as yours, but I would like to also add something. I recently picked up a "free" box from Comcast because they were holding some of my favorite channels, that I'd been paying for, hostage or in their words they've already been moved to the digital format to, I guess avoid the rush? What do you know? I happen to be one of the lucky soul that has the "OLD Extended basic" option and in order for me to get the "free" box, I'd have to pay $2.50 more, but not to worry 'cause it's going up $2.50 anyway on Dec. 1, so I'd be paying more anyway. I ain’t no rocket scientist, but that means I'll be paying $5 more now, I think for getting back what I've been paying for all along for many years.
Ann Williams
Hixson
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