 JMac001Premium
join:2006-05-20
Ridley Park, PA | Changes to Agreement for Residential Services I just received a "Notice from Comcast Regarding Changes to Your Comcast Agreement for Residential Services" in my Comcast bill today.
A lot of usual stuff about who owns what equipment, etc., but there are a few items that are disturbing:
First, it says that for any Customer equipment that I elect to use with the Comcast service, Comcast has the right to "install, configure, maintain, inspect and upgrade the Customer Equipment..". It says that they can upgrade the firmware of any of MY equipment that is used with Comcast services. Also states that my computer and other devices may need to be opened, updated, accessed, or used either by me or by their "agents". I can understand that being necessary for folks who want HSI but have no idea how to configure their computer, but it is hard to tell if they are saying that I MUST allow them to open my computer and basically do whatever they want inside.
Secondly - and possibly worse - is that any incidental damage they cause to my equipment is my problem, not theirs. Unless it is due to "gross negligence or willful misconduct" on their part - in that case I can be reimbursed up to $500 maximum.
This all seems way too draconian to be considered reasonable! I searched here thinking it would already be posted here but I did not find anything within the last two years. Have others received this notice yet? I am interested in others' reactions to it.
I am already dropping as much of my Comcast service as possible in July, when my Triple Play contract expires. This just reinforces that decision.
Thanks!
Jim |
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 pokesphIt Is Almost FastPremium
join:2001-06-25
Sacramento, CA
kudos:1 | don't care WHAT their terms say.. Comcast's access to MY equipment stops at the modem. Period.
They have no business or need to be poking around in your computers or other related gear. (routers MAY be an exception during connectivity troubleshooting)
I usually pull my network off when ever a tech roll is scheduled here.. leaving the nice shiny CO CPE modem for the tech to look at. (hope he brought his laptop.. lol)
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Webmaster - Steve
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 Chris 313Come get somePremium
join:2004-07-18
Houma, LA
 ·AT&T U-Verse
 ·Comcast Digital ..
 ·Comcast
1 edit | said by pokesph:don't care WHAT their terms say.. Comcast's access to MY equipment stops at the modem. Period. They have no business or need to be poking around in your computers or other related gear. (routers MAY be an exception during connectivity troubleshooting) I usually pull my network off when ever a tech roll is scheduled here.. leaving the nice shiny CO CPE modem for the tech to look at. (hope he brought his laptop.. lol) I agree with that. When I had the TP installed almost a year ago, before I wanted to do the dual modem setup I have now, the tech looked like he wanted to install that software they use to setup the MAC address and things, and I wasn't gonna let him. I told him to call it in instead and he did without complaint and all was well.
Nobody touches my setup, but me, especially if I'm liable for any damages they cause unless due to circumstances they select.
Good thing I've not had very many problems with the internet side of things in the year I've had the TP.
How many others will this new update turn off, eh? |
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ats
join:2008-11-14
Vallejo, CA
kudos:1 | reply to JMac001
said by JMac001: Comcast has the right to "install, configure, maintain, inspect and upgrade the Customer Equipment..". It says that they can upgrade the firmware of any of MY equipment that is used with Comcast services. Also states that my computer and other devices may need to be opened, updated, accessed, or used either by me or by their "agents". necessary at times especially during triple play installs,using a cd provisions both cdv/hsi or if not so pc literate customer wants to use his/her email client. |
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 ropeguruPremium
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA
1 edit | said by ats:said by JMac001: Comcast has the right to "install, configure, maintain, inspect and upgrade the Customer Equipment..". It says that they can upgrade the firmware of any of MY equipment that is used with Comcast services. Also states that my computer and other devices may need to be opened, updated, accessed, or used either by me or by their "agents". necessary at times especially during triple play installs,using a cd provisions both cdv/hsi or if not so pc literate customer wants to use his/her email client. But it should say they have the "right" to do as they please. It should be worded that with the customers permission they can do the things they need to. With the way they have it worded it gives them access to your computer(s) at anytime, even without your knowledge, to do whatever they want with it.
I completely disagree with this.
I also say that if they need some type of software to provision the modem for cdv/hsi, then the installer should carry a laptop that he/she can connect directly to the modem in order to setup the connection. There is no need for any of the customer's computer information to be needed for the install. |
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 dadkinsCan you do Blu?Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
kudos:18 | reply to JMac001
*IF* you opt for the Home Networking, they will(if need be) install a wireless or ethernet card INTO your computer and configure it(get it working with the HN equipment).
This was done for a friend in WA.
She had Comcast come in with "Home Networking" equipment and get her desktop and laptop configured and running.
This included adding a wireless adapter to the desktop.
Here, they really cannot do anything to my computers - they are laptops and are quite well equipped for anything that *I* may need them to do with *MY* equipment.
They have the right to screw with anything that is theirs.
Too bad most everything here is mine!
They can come in and replace or remove the ARRIS if needed.
The Moto SB5100 and routers(yes routers) are MINE.
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Think outside the Fox... Opera |
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 RobIn Deo speramus, God Bless the USAPremium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
kudos:2 | reply to pokesph
said by pokesph:don't care WHAT their terms say.. Comcast's access to MY equipment stops at the modem. Period. They have no business or need to be poking around in your computers or other related gear. (routers MAY be an exception during connectivity troubleshooting) I usually pull my network off when ever a tech roll is scheduled here.. leaving the nice shiny CO CPE modem for the tech to look at. (hope he brought his laptop.. lol) What the terms means is, if your computer is infected with viruses/trojans and is spewing spam, they have the right to inspect your computer to make sure it's been clean before they allow you back onto their network.
Seems acceptable to me! |
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| reply to JMac001
When I got this, I read it as a response to a couple threads we've seen here on modem firmware upgrades, particularly on customer-owned modems.
Yea, it's your modem, but if it's connected to Comcast's services, you're going to lose SNMP and they're going to push firmware when and if they darn well please. This language simply clarifies their historical practices, and probably tightens things up a little for theft-of-service prosecutions. |
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ats
join:2008-11-14
Vallejo, CA
kudos:1
1 edit | reply to ropeguru
that i agree,when I was out in the field,never had a laptop.using a CD is the quickest way of provisioning the service.The job doesnt end there,we still have to activate the wall jacks. |
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 gar187erI do this for a living
join:2006-06-24
Dover, DE
kudos:1 | reply to JMac001
all it refers to is the modem...no tech will ever open up your computer.....why would they!?!?!? lol... |
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| said by gar187er:all it refers to is the modem...no tech will ever open up your computer.....why would they!?!?!? lol... To install a NIC |
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cacoPremium
join:2005-03-10
Whittier, AK | reply to JMac001
Congrats, your probably one of five people in the country that will read the agreement. The rest will look at, make sure it is not a bill and throw it in the garbage without giving it a second thought. |
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Chris 313Come get somePremium
join:2004-07-18
Houma, LA Reviews:
·AT&T U-Verse
·Comcast Digital ..
·Comcast
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said by Ted Sheckler:said by gar187er:all it refers to is the modem...no tech will ever open up your computer.....why would they!?!?!? lol... To install a NIC Back during my original RR install 5 years ago, I didn't have a NIC card in my original computer, it was installed as part of the install. I was told what was gonna happen before hand, and didn't really have a problem with it.
Take now. My current computer was built with a NIC already in it, so no messing with my HW required.
So, yeah, in this case, you're right!
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gar187erI do this for a living
join:2006-06-24
Dover, DE
kudos:1 | reply to Ted Sheckler
said by Ted Sheckler:said by gar187er:all it refers to is the modem...no tech will ever open up your computer.....why would they!?!?!? lol... To install a NIC sry man, 99% wont touch a computer because of liability reasons....they dont have anti static bracelts, and warehouses dont stock NICs anymore... |
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dadkinsCan you do Blu?Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
kudos:18 | said by gar187er:said by Ted Sheckler:said by gar187er:all it refers to is the modem...no tech will ever open up your computer.....why would they!?!?!? lol... To install a NIC sry man, 99% wont touch a computer because of liability reasons....they dont have anti static bracelts, and warehouses dont stock NICs anymore... Does that apply to Home Networking installs?
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Think outside the Fox... Opera |
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ats
join:2008-11-14
Vallejo, CA
kudos:1 | reply to JMac001
specific to north bay-san rafael, we use usb for chn installs so no need to open up the pc. |
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dadkinsCan you do Blu?Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
kudos:18 | reply to JMac001
»help.comcast.net/content/faq/Hom···king-101
Unless you request otherwise, our installation technicians will set up secondary computers and devices with wireless connections.
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Think outside the Fox... Opera |
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gar187erI do this for a living
join:2006-06-24
Dover, DE
kudos:1
1 edit | yup USB adapters....or pcmcia cards for laptops...some areas still do homeplug too....
comcast supports back to 98se which is USB compliant...so almost every computer comcast touches has USB... |
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1 edit | reply to gar187er
said by gar187er:said by Ted Sheckler:said by gar187er:all it refers to is the modem...no tech will ever open up your computer.....why would they!?!?!? lol... To install a NIC sry man, 99% wont touch a computer because of liability reasons....they dont have anti static bracelts, and warehouses dont stock NICs anymore... Maybe they won't "open up" a computer, but Network Interface Controller can refer to many network devices, including wireless or usb. To me, I would equally oppose a tech installing anything in my computer, internal or external usb |
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gar187erI do this for a living
join:2006-06-24
Dover, DE
kudos:1 | lol, you wouldnt let them plug a usb adapter in and install the linksys drivers?!?! |
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