PGHammer
join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
 ·Comcast
1 edit | reply to S_engineer
Re: Comcrap
The idea (per Steve Burke) is for Comcast to provide these devices *instead* of STBs for the most basic of outlets, and at no cost to the subscriber. The reason *for* these devices is that, for economy or *lifeline basic* customers, *any* STB (even the super-cheapies such as the Motorola DCT-711) is a non-starter. Also, some customers don't want an STB at all, regardless of price. These external devices will *not* be HD-capable, any more than the DCT-7xx boxes are (they aren't), so if you want HD (and are a Comcast customer) you will *still* need the bigger STB. The one advantage cable has (over satellite or telcos) is that, by and large, no STB is needed for the lowest-end channels. Comcast in particular, wants to keep that advantage (and you can best believe that smaller cable providers will want these same devices once they get developed, as they are in an even bigger pickle than Comcast regarding the transition). |
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morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000
clubs:
·Charter Pipeline
 ·AT&T Southwest
| said by PGHammer  : and at no cost to the subscriber. except for 24/7 365 days/yr electricity needed to power the device, of course. |
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jester121
Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL | reply to PGHammer
I'm pretty sure that the phrase "lifeline basic" should be left in the arena of telephone service; I'm pretty sure that cable TV is still a luxury. |
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S_engineer
join:2007-05-16
Chicago, IL
·Comcast
| reply to PGHammer
said by PGHammer :* The reason *for* these devices is that, for economy or *lifeline basic* customers, *any* STB (even the super-cheapies such as the Motorola DCT-711) is a non-starter. There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. Comcrap dosent offer a free lifeline service,so this would be added as a fee. Plus, to think that this rfp expense won't be passed on to the consumer is niave! |
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kyler13
Is your fiber grounded?
join:2006-12-12
Arnold, MD
| reply to morbo
said by morbo :said by PGHammer : and at no cost to the subscriber. except for 24/7 365 days/yr electricity needed to power the device, of course. Which probably operates in the noise of your electric bill, certainly nowhere near the $4-$5/month you might get charged for a full service box.
Doesn't Verizon FIOS have a similar watered-down box that they charge $1 less per month than the digital STB? |
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PGHammer
join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
·Comcast
| said by kyler13 :said by morbo :said by PGHammer : and at no cost to the subscriber. except for 24/7 365 days/yr electricity needed to power the device, of course. Which probably operates in the noise of your electric bill, certainly nowhere near the $4-$5/month you might get charged for a full service box. Doesn't Verizon FIOS have a similar watered-down box that they charge $1 less per month than the digital STB? VZ's low-end box is the same DCT-711 that Comcast deploys in Motorola areas. |
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Ebolla
join:2005-09-28
Dracut, MA
| reply to S_engineer
said by S_engineer :There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. 5 years ago, Internet 1meg=$42.95
Today, Internet 6meg+powerboost=$42.95
Thats a huge differance in the cost increase huh. Not EVERYTHING is auto charged for more. |
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S_engineer
join:2007-05-16
Chicago, IL
·Comcast
| said by Ebolla :said by S_engineer :There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. 5 years ago, Internet 1meg=$42.95 Today, Internet 6meg+powerboost=$42.95 Thats a huge differance in the cost increase huh. Not EVERYTHING is auto charged for more. What was your fee structure 5 years ago compared to today? |
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Ebolla
join:2005-09-28
Dracut, MA | yes my costs for channels have gone up, but so has the number of channels and the amount of vod content. I now also have 2 DVR's and TiVo services. My internet costs have stayed the same and my phone services actually dropped in cost. |
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Hangmn
Don't Fight It...It's Inevitable
Premium
join:2000-04-08
Philadelphia, PA
1 edit | said by Ebolla :5 years ago, Internet 1meg=$42.95 Today, Internet 6meg+powerboost=$42.95 Thats a huge differance in the cost increase huh. Not EVERYTHING is auto charged for more. None of these points are REMOTELY releavent..the topic is:
Comcast's $35 Digital Conversion Dongle
and the staement was this RFP will be passed on to the consumer.. |
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Ebolla
join:2005-09-28
Dracut, MA
| read up, yes it is relevant, he stated that there is always a charge associated with a change. I stated CHSI hadn't changed price though the services themselves did. Is CHSI/CDV/Cable the device we are speaking about? no. Is it relevant that changes have been made in system that came down to no increase cost to consumer? yes. |
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RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11 | You might want to investigate a bit. The HSI pricing has not increased as much as cable TV because that is cross-subsidized from the much less competitive video business.
--
Toolmaster of La Grange. |
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TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast
| reply to S_engineer
said by S_engineer :said by PGHammer :* The reason *for* these devices is that, for economy or *lifeline basic* customers, *any* STB (even the super-cheapies such as the Motorola DCT-711) is a non-starter. There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. Comcrap dosent offer a free lifeline service,so this would be added as a fee. Plus, to think that this rfp expense won't be passed on to the consumer is niave! B.S. My parents got a DCT700 last year at no cost or change in their bill. Comcast ate the cost in order to convert all the people still on analog STBs in Philadelphia. This new dongle is an even cheaper, simpler version of the DCT700.
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page |
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fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20 | reply to morbo
Will ANYONE ever be happy? Sheesh! |
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fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| reply to S_engineer
said by S_engineer :said by PGHammer :* The reason *for* these devices is that, for economy or *lifeline basic* customers, *any* STB (even the super-cheapies such as the Motorola DCT-711) is a non-starter. There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. Comcrap dosent offer a free lifeline service,so this would be added as a fee. Plus, to think that this rfp expense won't be passed on to the consumer is niave! Neither does phone.. the TAXPAYERS offer the free service.
I know what you mean, but I wanted it to be PERFECTLY clear that phone does NOT give you anything free.. they are still paid.. and that lifeline service isn't 100% free to all people. Some people go above the level of service and receive a baseline credit. |
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bear73
Metnav... Fly The Unfriendly Skies
Premium
join:2001-06-09
Grand Forks Afb, ND | reply to fiberguy
well THATS a silly quiestion...
momma always said... |
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Chuckles
Premium
join:2006-03-04
Saint Paul, MN | reply to S_engineer
Universal Services are free. But it it's like 6 or 7 public access channels only. Atleast in the Twin Cities area of MN.
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kustomerservice.net |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to Ebolla
said by Ebolla :said by S_engineer :There's *always* a cost to the subscriber. 5 years ago, Internet 1meg=$42.95 Today, Internet 6meg+powerboost=$42.95 Thats a huge differance in the cost increase huh. Not EVERYTHING is auto charged for more. Only because the video subs are subsidizing HSI.
video subs get a rate hike everytime the wind blows.
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You can never be too rich, too thin or have too much Bandwidth |
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Georgiaboy
join:2005-06-25
Savannah, GA
·Comcast
| reply to fiberguy
said by fiberguy :Will ANYONE ever be happy? Sheesh! \
Has anybody noticed how this will only affect 20% of the footprint? I'm certainly not worried. I honestly don't think anyone in my market should be. |
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patcat88
join:2002-04-05
Jamaica, NY | reply to jester121
Well cable TV is the ONLY source of entertainment for many sectors of the population, such as hospitals, nursing homes, and prisons (group homes, juvenile centers, and low to maximum security prisons). |
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