[Bryan]

I just got this month's COMCAST bill (Billing Date of 03/01/11) and noticed my total went up about $6.00 from last month. I use COMCAST for Cable TV (Full Basic) and Internet. Looking it over carefully, my Basic Cable increased $2.00 over February, my Basic Internet increased $1.00 over February, and (this is the killer) my COMCAST Modem monthly rental increased $2.00 (from $5/mo to $7/mo). This afternoon I will be seriously looking at CenturyLink and their DSL service for my computer and see what they offer on TV. I am pretty much fed up with COMCAST.

[skip0358]

I've noticed the same thing. And with the Anniv. date of my contract coming the next increase should be a whopper. I've looked at Direct so so. I wish Comcast didn't have ir sewn up this much.

[zcaveman]

This should not be news. It was all detailed in their flyer with the February bill.

[spk7951]

Call Comcast and complain. We have tv, internet & phone. Back in January we called and complained and they gave us a discounted package for one year with a free movie channel for six months. Monthly savings is just over $25.

[jebartle]

The squeaky wheel gets the "greese".... Six month extension on original rate....Yea!

Originally Posted by spk7951

Call Comcast and complain. We have tv, internet & phone. Back in January we called and complained and they gave us a discounted package for one year with a free movie channel for six months. Monthly savings is just over $25.

[TrudyM]

Originally Posted by spk7951

Call Comcast and complain. We have tv, internet & phone. Back in January we called and complained and they gave us a discounted package for one year with a free movie channel for six months. Monthly savings is just over $25.

The basic rates are regulated but as few of us want just plain basic we get nailed. Some LFAs have extended powers over the federal listed below and are very strict in what they allow others don't. If comcast has no other provider (like quest here in the northwest)competeing for the distribution the regulator doesn't have as much leverage over the provider. Where I live they are attempting to redefined basic requirements to include internet.

How Cable TV Rates Are Regulated

Your local franchising authority (LFA) -- the city, county, or other governmental organization authorized by your state to regulate cable television service -- may regulate the rates your cable company charges for the basic services tier. The basic services tier must include most local broadcast stations, as well as the public, educational, and governmental channels required by the franchise agreement between the LFA and your cable company. If the FCC finds that a local cable company is subject to “effective competition” (as defined by Federal law), the LFA may not regulate the rates it charges for the basic services tier. The rates charged by certain small cable companies are not subject to regulation. They are determined by the companies.

Your LFA also enforces FCC regulations that determine whether a cable operator’s basic services tier rates are reasonable. The LFA reviews rate justification forms filed by cable operators. Contact your LFA if you have any questions about basic service tier rates.


Non-Regulated Rates

The rates for any tier of service (other than the basic services tier) and for any pay-per-channel programming (i.e., a premium movie channel) and pay-per-program services (i.e., a pay-per-view sports event) are not regulated. Your cable company is free to charge any rate for these services. However, your cable company may not require you to purchase any additional service tier other than the basic services tier in order to have access to pay-per-view events or premium channels offered on an “a la carte” or individual basis. On the other hand, there is no law that requires cable companies to offer channels or programs on an “a la carte” basis.

Your LFA also is authorized to enforce FCC rules and guidelines in the following areas:

•customer service, for instance complaints about bills, or a cable operator’s response to inquiries about signal quality or service requests; and

•franchise fees, which the cable company pays the LFA for the right to access public rights of way to offer cable service.

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