Charter Communications

elvenrunelord · #1 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 04:39 PM

This little cable provider is the only one available to me where I live and it sucks. They are at least $10 more expensive on every service than Roadrunner is and I hate these protected markets the cable companies have.

Jay · #2 (**permalink**) 08-29-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elvenrunelord

...and I hate these protected markets the cable companies have.

And that's putting it nicely, I'd go so far as to call it monopoly or duopoly here in Arizona.

Not sure if you're talking about TV service or internet service...but with some of the recent upgrades in technology allowing consumers to purchase a wireless card (Such as 3G), and receiving decent download speeds...I think it's only a matter of time before Television programming and services will be sold over the internet at a lower cost.

Taki · #3 (**permalink**) 08-30-2008, 11:56 PM

Yes and the cable companies are screaming bloody murder about it. They are starting to establish bandwidth limits to stop exactly that. They are using the excuse that it has to do with piracy or infrastructure limits and thats just bull. Ask them about all the dark fiber laying in the ground that has never even been turned on other than for testing and it has been in the ground since the 70's. There is enought bandwidth capacity in this country for everyone and I mean everyone to have a 100 megabit connection and still it would not even be 1/5th the way full.

They can talk that crap to people who never had family memebers who not only laid that fiber in the ground, but had top secret security clearances and worked in Bell Labs for thirty years.

dreamr802 · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2008, 04:52 PM

I believe my parents have Charter too...I think right where I'm from Charter is one of the only if not the only cable service available....I know my parents don't have a satelite but yeah, I know a lot of the times my mom isn't too happy with it but other times she likes it.

dreamr802 · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2008, 11:28 AM

I do have to admit that their internet provider is VERY good...whenever I'm home I never lose my connection whatsoever. It's the strongest internet provider we've ever had at our house.

Taki · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-2008, 08:14 PM

Yes, but they are not the fastest cable provider out there. People across the street from me with Road Runner are getting double the speed for a few dollars cheaper.

confusedtv · #7 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 06:03 PM

Charter took off 3 of our main in state channels that most people in this area watch. I called and asked why, as they gave us no notice, and they explained to see these stations we must upgrade to their digital converter box and install one on each tv. He said even if we get a digital tv , we still have to have the box to get the service after Feb. 17. The local news today said that the management was contacted and these stations they have removed will no longer be available , in any way from Charter, as they have removed them to make room for other digital program channels. The sales rep. lied to me . The news report said they are no longer allowed to carry local channels which are over 40 miles away, so they eliminated these and kept the other 3, that most people do not want.

confusedtv · #8 (**permalink**) 12-14-2008, 06:10 PM

Forgot to add they are going up $2.00 on our bill the first of the year, and the charge for each box we need (4) is $5.00 a month extra. Wow, it is going to be costly making this change. I hope to find out more about it and what is exactly necessary. I want to know the most economic route with quality of course.

confusedtv · #9 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 07:48 PM

Please, does not anyone have a response to my post? Our whole city and county are upset by what Charter has done to this area.

Jay · #10 (**permalink**) 12-17-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by confusedtv

Please, does not anyone have a response to my post? Our whole city and county are upset by what Charter has done to this area.

That's definitely cause to be concerned, but unfortunately, according to the FCC's DTV FAQ page, cable companies are allowed to move programming to their digital tier, removing channels from basic service.

This is direct from their page:

Quote:

Can my cable system move programming to a digital tier that makes me subscribe to digital service?

Your cable system decides when and whether to carry programming on a digital tier, which may mean that you will need digital equipment. However, all of your local stations will continue to be available in analog format for as long as your cable system offers any analog service.

Will cable customers with analog TVs have to buy or rent a set-top box from their cable company? If so, how much will it cost?

First, it's important to know that the February 17, 2009 deadline for the digital television transition only applies to full-power broadcast stations. Cable companies are not required by the government to transition their systems to digital, and can continue to deliver channels to their customers in analog. Cable companies are actually required by FCC rules to continue offering local broadcast stations to their customers in analog as long as they offer any analog service. This requirement will continue for at least three years after February 17, 2009. The Commission will decide in 2011 whether the requirement should be continued beyond February 17, 2012. This means that customers who receive analog cable service (without a cable set-top box) will be able to continue to do so.

However, for business reasons (among other things, digital is much more efficient than analog), cable companies may be interested in transitioning their systems from analog delivery to digital delivery. If a cable company makes the business decision to go all-digital (meaning it will stop offering any channels to its customers in analog), it must ensure that its analog customers can continue to watch their local broadcast stations. This may require customers with analog televisions to get a set-top box. If the cable company provides the customer with a set-top box, any costs related to it will be determined by the cable company. Therefore, it is recommended that analog cable customers contact their cable company to ask if a set-top box will be needed, when it will be needed, and if there will be a cost.

It is also important to note that a cable set-top box is different from a digital-to-analog converter box. A digital-to-analog converter box is necessary only for analog televisions that receive their programming over-the-air using a rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears" connected to the set. A digital-to-analog converter box is not necessary for a TV connected to a paid television service such as a cable or satellite TV provider. Information on any set-top boxes needed for a paid service such as cable or satellite should be obtained from the service provider.