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Comcast Rate Hikes Expand, Adds New 'Broadcast TV' Fee

Right on the heels of rate hikes for AT&T U-Verse users, Comcast has joined the rate hike season festivities and will soon inform additional users that they'll see a suite of new rate hikes starting January 1. Among the latest suite of hikes is an increase of $2 for all broadband tiers, an increase in the price of various TV tiers of $1-$2, and an increase in the cost of renting a modem from $7 to $8 a month.

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Some of you may have already seen some of these increases (like the modem fee) since hikes are staggered. According to a Comcast source, these latest notifications have or will soon be sent to users from Chicago to Florida.

According to the notifications being sent to users, the price hikes across various services are to ensure that Comcast is "constantly improving your entertainment and communications experience."

A birdie at Comcast also tells me many TV subscribers will also start to see a new $1.50 "Broadcast Fee" if they haven't done so already.

Like AT&T's recent "Broadcast TV Surcharge," Comcast appears to be breaking out this new below the line fee to counter the broadcast industry's latest round of retransmission fee hikes (even though Comcast NBC is a broadcaster, go figure). Putting such costs below the line allow cable operators to jack up the cost of service while leaving the advertised rate the same. It's a somewhat obnoxious practice that has long been ignored by industry regulators.
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buzz_4_20
join:2003-09-20
Dover, NH

buzz_4_20

Member

Simple Fix...

No TV... No Fee

Alcohol
Premium Member
join:2003-05-26
Climax, MI

1 recommendation

Alcohol

Premium Member

Re: Simple Fix...

said by buzz_4_20:

No TV... No Fee

Uh..
quote:
Among the latest suite of hikes is an increase of $2 for all broadband tiers

milnoc
join:2001-03-05
Ottawa

milnoc to buzz_4_20

Member

to buzz_4_20
Better solution: keep the TV, get rid of the cable, and get an antenna. The old set of rabbit ears you have in storage could do the trick, or use a coat hanger. This will work for most people living in developed areas.

Here's a video I did about Canada's digital TV transition from a couple of years ago which shows how effective these simple and cheap and solutions can be.

»www.youtube.com/watch?v= ··· 4T1l2uGQ


Cut the cord! Save a bundle!
Bengie25
join:2010-04-22
Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Bengie25

Member

Re: Simple Fix...

While true, that doesn't address the fact that I either need to purchase a $40 converter or a $200+ TV. - Devil's Advocate

thinkagain
@verizon.net

thinkagain

Anon

Re: Simple Fix...

Soooo-you can afford $100+ a month for cable but can't get off a one-time fee of $40 for a converter box or $200+ for a tv (both items which would be returnable to the store if bought new and could be resold if bought used)??
said by Bengie25:

While true, that doesn't address the fact that I either need to purchase a $40 converter or a $200+ TV. - Devil's Advocate


Unbundled
But When ? ?
Premium Member
join:2010-09-13
Irving, TX
Technicolor E31T2V1

Unbundled to milnoc

Premium Member

to milnoc
said by milnoc:

solution: keep the TV, get rid of the cable, and get an antenna. The old set of rabbit ears you have in storage could do the trick, or use a coat hanger. This will work for most people living in developed areas.

I have a friend that lives 5 miles from the Cedar Hill tower array, and yes, he gets great recpetion using an antena purchased at the "Dollar Store".

But for the rest fo us, who live 20+ miles from Cedar Hill, getting an antenna mounted and positioned to get most of the OTA stations to come in, including some LP stations, is difficult.

The analog UHF/VHF stations that you used to easily get with just rabbit ears, are not easily gotten with the digital signal. Digital is all or nothing.

But, I will say that I will eventually go to the trouble to move my antenna from the attic, to the roof, to get the LP stations that are just out of reach.

There are a lot of challenges for getting the "right" antenna, and finding that "sweet spot" to get most of the channels that you want to watch.
That's the part of the digital transition that has never been fully looked into by the FCC. But why would they want to Sh*t on themsleves anway??
sparc
join:2006-05-06

sparc

Member

should be illegal

amazing that this can be pushed as a fee. Next, they'll go for an ESPN fee.

PapaMidnight
join:2009-01-13
Baltimore, MD

PapaMidnight

Member

Re: should be illegal

Satellite providers have had this same fee for years. On Dish Network, I pay five dollars per month for terrestrial networks. If I could reliably pull an OTA signal, I'd dump that fee entirely and connect an OTA antenna to the STB again (though I'd need an adapter since I have the Hopper now).
tkdslr
join:2004-04-24
Pompano Beach, FL

tkdslr

Member

Re: should be illegal

Dish network bundles locals into nearly all their packages, is to ..

What we need a federal law forcing these providers to offer packages without locals at a suitable discount.
Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL

Mr Matt to PapaMidnight

Member

to PapaMidnight
said by PapaMidnight:

Satellite providers have had this same fee for years. On Dish Network, I pay five dollars per month for terrestrial networks. If I could reliably pull an OTA signal, I'd dump that fee entirely and connect an OTA antenna to the STB again (though I'd need an adapter since I have the Hopper now).

The cable leaches are at it again. The fee charged by Satellite providers is justified because it probably cost Dish Network and DirecTV a Billion Dollars each for equipment and to launch additional satellites to provide local channels to subscribers.

How does the cable service industry justify a charge for providing local channels when the reason cable systems were installed was to provide local channels in cities like Port Jervis, New York where over the air signals were blocked by a mountain. In most cities all the cable company needs to do is install an antenna array at the head end to receive local channels. If the service provider has 20,000,000 subscribers adding a fee of $1.00 per month to each subscribers bill nets the cable leach $20,000,000.00 in additional revenue with no additional benefit to subscribers.

goalieskates
Premium Member
join:2004-09-12
land of big

goalieskates to sparc

Premium Member

to sparc
Ha! Only if they also allow us to opt out of ESPN.

I watch sports all right, I just don't watch the talking heads. Ala carte would make me very happy.

As for Comcast ... I'll never go there again.
textech
join:2009-01-11
Glasgow, KY

1 recommendation

textech

Member

How do you justify Cable these days?

Really how do people justify Cable these days? Has the quality of uninterrupted TV viewing justified the cost increases or has the quality of programming decreased with increased interruptions (commercials)?

Say you have the time to actually sit down for 1 hour and watch TV. At whose mercy are you choosing the show you end up with? So you have 140 channels to choose from. Is the program you end up with one of compromise simply because of all that is being shown it beats total silence? Or, is it just the show you were hoping to find because this was your one hour to sit down for a program?

Having Cable is like being at the mercy of someone that doesn’t even know what you like; giving you choices you really have little interest in. Watch what they happen to be showing at that time or watch nothing. That is their best presentation when you turn on a TV that just has Cable. I think that program presentation has progressed beyond such a methodology, but regrettably society as a whole has not. They are willing to compromise by paying out the big bucks for being told when and what to watch rather than having a measure of control over what they will view and when they will view it.

How much of your Cable TV viewing is interrupted by commercials? Rather than paying the Cable Company to show you a program you compromised on that is full of interrupted commercials that lower our total IQ level, Find an alternative that empowers you to a choice worthy of your hard earned money.

Corporations like Netflix are the best thing that has happened to the TV viewing sector of entertainment. They should be commended for providing affordable uninterrupted program viewing personalized to the viewer. The viewer actually chooses when and what. Much more personalized than cable today. Definitely the best bang for the buck.

As more folks migrate from restricted Cable viewing to companies like Netflix, the more choices that will become available as well. So, I applaud all who cut their Cable viewing ties with those offering the inferior choice.

Squirrelly
join:2000-10-24
Harrisburg, PA

Squirrelly

Member

Re: How do you justify Cable these days?

if it wasn't for sports I would ge trid of cable

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI

Nightfall

MVM

Re: How do you justify Cable these days?

said by Squirrelly:

if it wasn't for sports I would ge trid of cable

Same here. I view TV as a luxury item these days. If I lost my job, the TV would be the first to go.

cork1958
Cork
Premium Member
join:2000-02-26

cork1958 to Squirrelly

Premium Member

to Squirrelly
said by Squirrelly:

if it wasn't for sports I would ge trid of cable

For me, if it wasn't for sports AND the wife, cable would've been gone a long time ago!

Even at that, I'm not that big of a sports fan, unless it's NASCAR mainly, and with Jimmie Johnson winning everything every season, even that has gotten ridiculous! Most sports now a days are half played by the officials and who they support/want to win, I can't stand much of that, especially basketball! Nothing but a game of free throw shooting!
Happydude32
Premium Member
join:2005-07-16

Happydude32 to textech

Premium Member

to textech
Copy and pasted your own post, eh?
Albert71292
join:2004-10-31
West Monroe, LA

Albert71292 to textech

Member

to textech
I dropped Dish a few years ago. Got tired of price increases, while the quality of programming was going in the dumpster... stations straying from their intended format, and turning into lame reality TV.

I find more than enough to watch for FREE on the 18 channels I get with my outdoor over-the-air antenna. Don't miss "cable" at ALL!
Comcast Guy
join:2008-01-16
Harrisburg, PA

Comcast Guy to textech

Member

to textech
I actually have TWO TV providers (DirecTV and Comcast) to offset one cord cutter. My gobs of free time from not wanting kids appreciate it.
Happydude32
Premium Member
join:2005-07-16

Happydude32

Premium Member

Re: How do you justify Cable these days?

said by Comcast Guy:

I actually have TWO TV providers (DirecTV and Comcast) to offset one cord cutter. My gobs of free time from not wanting kids appreciate it.

Here! Here!

Me too. But Time Warner and DirecTV.

Got DirecTV back a year and a half ago when Time Warner pulled MSG for a few months. I cannot live without my Sabres so MSG is a must. Kept DirecTV due to their 3D line up (although it's just 3Net now) along with NFL Sunday Ticket. I absoutley love NFL ST, and don't know how I survived this long without it. I keep TW due to their awesome HD lineup and superb On Demand, along with their own sports channel that airs local second tier stuff I care about. And plus this way I’m covered in the event of a programming dispute

Being a TV and technology geek, I also enjoy playing around with the Genie and Whole House DVR system from DirecTV to compare it to my whole house TW system. Also enjoy taking part in the DirecTV CE program. Even though I hate Charlie Ergan, everything he stands for and I don't like Dish, I was thinking about cutting down my DirecTV service and getting Dish back and have all three systems. I really would like the Epix movie package and I would like to play around with the Hopper, only problem is I'm fresh out of HDMI inputs on the A/V Receiver and I’m running out of physical space in my entertainment center to put stuff.
Expand your moderator at work

goalieskates
Premium Member
join:2004-09-12
land of big

goalieskates to textech

Premium Member

to textech
How do I justify cable? They're called mountains.

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI

1 recommendation

Nightfall to textech

MVM

to textech
said by textech:

Really how do people justify Cable these days? Has the quality of uninterrupted TV viewing justified the cost increases or has the quality of programming decreased with increased interruptions (commercials)?

Say you have the time to actually sit down for 1 hour and watch TV. At whose mercy are you choosing the show you end up with? So you have 140 channels to choose from. Is the program you end up with one of compromise simply because of all that is being shown it beats total silence? Or, is it just the show you were hoping to find because this was your one hour to sit down for a program?

Having Cable is like being at the mercy of someone that doesn’t even know what you like; giving you choices you really have little interest in. Watch what they happen to be showing at that time or watch nothing. That is their best presentation when you turn on a TV that just has Cable. I think that program presentation has progressed beyond such a methodology, but regrettably society as a whole has not. They are willing to compromise by paying out the big bucks for being told when and what to watch rather than having a measure of control over what they will view and when they will view it.

How much of your Cable TV viewing is interrupted by commercials? Rather than paying the Cable Company to show you a program you compromised on that is full of interrupted commercials that lower our total IQ level, Find an alternative that empowers you to a choice worthy of your hard earned money.

Corporations like Netflix are the best thing that has happened to the TV viewing sector of entertainment. They should be commended for providing affordable uninterrupted program viewing personalized to the viewer. The viewer actually chooses when and what. Much more personalized than cable today. Definitely the best bang for the buck.

As more folks migrate from restricted Cable viewing to companies like Netflix, the more choices that will become available as well. So, I applaud all who cut their Cable viewing ties with those offering the inferior choice.

I regularly field this question from people who have no need for cable TV and its an easy answer. Ready for it? Here it is.

Its all about preference.

My bill would be about $50 less if I chose to dump Cable TV and just keep the internet. I choose to spend $50 on cable TV because I love sports and other shows on TV that I can record on my Windows Media Center DVR.

You have to view cable TV as a entertainment expense. Its a very cheap form of entertainment compared with going out to see a movie, going out to eat, going to a bar, drinking beer with friends, and so on. At $50 a month just for Cable TV, I can justify that by watching hockey. Hockey tickets are hella expensive, but I can watch the games at home in HD quality and not have to worry about driving to the rink, paying for parking, dealing with crowds, and so on.

To ask people why they choose to justify TV is like asking someone how they justify eating lunch out every day, smoking cigarettes, going out to the bar to drop $30-$40 in a night, going out to a movie, or buying a video game. It all depends on what you want to spend your entertainment dollar on. Those are only a waste if you aren't using it and you are paying for it. Otherwise, its worth having if you are enjoying it.

This isn't a case of someone being stupid or confused if they choose to purchase Cable TV. If you don't like it, then you shouldn't spend money on it. Other people aren't stupid because they don't see it your way. They just choose to entertain themselves in different ways.

If you want to see this in action, tell everyone what you spend your money on when it comes to entertainment. I am sure that many people would be happy to point out how you justify spending money on something to entertain yourself and think its a waste.

Titus
Mr Gradenko
join:2004-06-26

Titus

Member

Re: How do you justify Cable these days?

Once you see Comcast for what it is, the equivalent of having your bung hover a nudie bar glory hole, dumping it is automatic ...and it feels pretty good knowing you'll never have to unplug something and plug it back in for $100 a month.

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI

Nightfall

MVM

Re: How do you justify Cable these days?

said by Titus:

Once you see Comcast for what it is, the equivalent of having your bung hover a nudie bar glory hole, dumping it is automatic ...and it feels pretty good knowing you'll never have to unplug something and plug it back in for $100 a month.

Comcast isn't saintly thats for sure. They are out to make a profit and to make a profit for their shareholders. Just like any business. At the same time though, when we are talking about entertainment, Comcast still has a good value on the entertainment it provides. Who are we to judge how people spend their entertainment dollar? Everyone has their vices. Some more expensive than others. If TV is the most expensive vice you have, at $50 a month, then I can think of far more harmful and expensive ones.

Titus
Mr Gradenko
join:2004-06-26

Titus

Member

Re: How do you justify Cable these days?

I'm talking about the exchange - value for your dollar. The content selection juxtaposed with the pricing structure is ludicrous, as is the picture quality, service, tech support, website, and chat. And let's not forget the medium; too many people fart simultaneously and cable goes down. Always.
My bill was $112 a month for Basic+ HD - no Premium channels. The box was over $10 a month and when I took it back they heaved it in the trash. So to summarize, 90 channels of compressed crap at that rate isn't entertainment, it's masochism.

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI

Nightfall

MVM

Re: How do you justify Cable these days?

said by Titus:

I'm talking about the exchange - value for your dollar. The content selection juxtaposed with the pricing structure is ludicrous, as is the picture quality, service, tech support, website, and chat. And let's not forget the medium; too many people fart simultaneously and cable goes down. Always.
My bill was $112 a month for Basic+ HD - no Premium channels. The box was over $10 a month and when I took it back they heaved it in the trash. So to summarize, 90 channels of compressed crap at that rate isn't entertainment, it's masochism.

$112 just for TV? You were getting raped. My bill is $100 and that includes Blast internet and no premium channels.

The content is what you are paying for. If you don't like the content, then you shouldn't pay for it. Once again, the key here is to respect those who choose to spend their entertainment dollar on cable TV. There is no wrong answer here. If you want a true example of this, list out your entertainment expenses for the world to see and watch as people call you out on "wasting money on crap". The key is that its crap to them, and not to you.

Titus
Mr Gradenko
join:2004-06-26

Titus

Member

Re: How do you justify Cable these days?

Yep. It's the penalty for not bundling. The HD pushed the bill from standard cable ($83 - 3 TVs) to $112. Ten or so for the box and the rest HD service and 30 more channels of compressed junk. You ever seen an OTA HD channel on a good TV? Makes you shake your head at what they call HD.
BiggA
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
Central CT

BiggA

Premium Member

Re: How do you justify Cable these days?

Unfortunately a lot of them are heavily compressed now as well, as they're cramming garbage subchannels in their 19mbps. Cable usually takes the OTA signals and puts them on the cable system bit for bit.

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI

Nightfall to Titus

MVM

to Titus
said by Titus:

Yep. It's the penalty for not bundling. The HD pushed the bill from standard cable ($83 - 3 TVs) to $112. Ten or so for the box and the rest HD service and 30 more channels of compressed junk. You ever seen an OTA HD channel on a good TV? Makes you shake your head at what they call HD.

Yup, I have seen quality OTA HD channel on a good TV. I have also seen cable HD and its about the same. Depends on where you live I suppose.

Titus
Mr Gradenko
join:2004-06-26

Titus

Member

Re: How do you justify Cable these days?

I suppose area could make a difference (BiggA's post). I didn't notice much until I began switching back and forth while I still had the HD box and after I'd affixed an antenna. I'd go back and forth on local channels and OTA was definitely better. Some of the cable locals looked dull and washed out in comparison. But it could be an area thing, I don't know enough about it.

I do know that once you have a choice, and it's strictly a money for value equation with no other variables - kids, sports, whatever - dropping cable didn't take me 5 minutes to decide.

Nightfall
My Goal Is To Deny Yours
MVM
join:2001-08-03
Grand Rapids, MI

Nightfall

MVM

Re: How do you justify Cable these days?

said by Titus:

I suppose area could make a difference (BiggA's post). I didn't notice much until I began switching back and forth while I still had the HD box and after I'd affixed an antenna. I'd go back and forth on local channels and OTA was definitely better. Some of the cable locals looked dull and washed out in comparison. But it could be an area thing, I don't know enough about it.

I do know that once you have a choice, and it's strictly a money for value equation with no other variables - kids, sports, whatever - dropping cable didn't take me 5 minutes to decide.

Yea, I suppose if there were no variables and there was no value to you, then it would be a no brainer. For me (and millions of other consumers), there are variables to address.
BiggA
Premium Member
join:2005-11-23
Central CT
·Frontier FiberOp..
Asus RT-AC68

BiggA to Titus

Premium Member

to Titus
If they are allowed to re-compress the locals, then you could see some variation. However, I don't think there is anywhere that has the full 19mbps going to one HD channel with no subchannels. Something like FIOS or DirecTV could actually give you better PQ than OTA, as they often have direct high-bitrate fiber feeds. YMMV.
BiggA

BiggA to textech

Premium Member

to textech
Various shows and sports.

IowaCowboy
Lost in the Supermarket
Premium Member
join:2010-10-16
Springfield, MA

IowaCowboy

Premium Member

Buy your own modem

Buy your own modem and threaten to go to DirecTV.

This is Comcast, no carriage disputes. Just raise rates instead.

•••
PowerMac
join:2011-03-02
Anaheim, CA

PowerMac

Member

..

$8 frickening dollars for a MODEM!?
en103
join:2011-05-02

en103

Member

Re: ..

TWC wanted it as well... I went to Frys and bought my own Docsis 3 for $75. Paid for in less than a year.
PowerMac
join:2011-03-02
Anaheim, CA

PowerMac

Member

Re: ..

True but I brought Netgear CG3000D for $32 on EBay so I can replace my Motorola SB5101u. Work great in bridge mode

DeadSurvivor
Actor (The Asylum / Mill Creek Ent.)
Premium Member
join:2013-09-03
Tampa, FL

DeadSurvivor

Premium Member

Time To Ditch Cable ...

While I would normally consider Broadband from Cable and Television Service from Satellite, it seems prices are rising on that end also. I'll likely ditch television if my cable company raises prices again.

•••

nitz
@charter.com

1 recommendation

nitz

Anon

Broadcast TV fee

"Putting such costs below the line allow cable operators to jack up the cost of service while leaving the advertised rate the same."

It may not be illegal, but it's dishonest as hell.

DaveDude
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey

DaveDude

Member

ota is sounding better and better

I had enough of Comcast , there needs to be a group cancellation where whole groups start calling and cancelling service.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

1 edit

tshirt

Premium Member

What took so long?

In some areas the re-transmit fee should be $20-30, where most local stations have opt'ed out of "must carry"
Rather than getting pissed at Comcast, shouldn't the stations be paying the CABLE co for the extra eyeballs they bring the station?

AnonMan
@comcast.net

AnonMan

Anon

Amazes me gov doesn't get on them..

These below the line fee's should be required to be part of the plan price.

This is nothing beyond false advertisement when you can call anything you want a "fee" and add it under the rate price.

I am all for the government not putting hands in the business sector for some things but this is one of those things they should. You want to raise rates, fine raise them but don't add it below the line which allows you to advertise the same rates when you just raised them.

And what is this broadband fee increase crap? They just raised them not that long ago. Blast use to be what 69.99 (without TV) and they raised it to $74.95 and now want to raise it again. And the modem fee is a joke. Guess how much Comcast pays for a modem? About $25-$35. Charging 8 bucks a month is a rip off. A cable modem now costs as much to rent as an HD DVR that costs over a hundred bucks. Why not just go ahead and charge 20 bucks to rent DVR's too. Not to mention that cable boxes should be REQUIRED to be included with TV (maybe not DVR) considering in most cases we are FORCED to rent them if you want the service.

Bahh. This is why I don't pay for TV and I hope more broadband companies come along and steal all your customers. Texas and other states are starting to get GB internet for what we pay for 25-50Mb... If you're not going to make the speed/price ration good stop raising rates at least.

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt

Premium Member

Re: Amazes me gov doesn't get on them..

said by AnonMan :

These below the line fee's should be required to be part of the plan price.

I agree, but it is one part of the "ONE national price" plan that is variable, in LA/NY you may be paying dozens of local stations something for each sub, where in small city market you might have 1 from each MAJOR broadcast network (3-4-5) and any locals hoping for must carry .
said by AnonMan :

Bahh. This is why I don't pay for TV and I hope more broadband companies come along and steal all your customers. Texas and other states are starting to get GB internet for what we pay for 25-50Mb... If you're not going to make the speed/price ration good stop raising rates at least.

The playing field isn't exactly level on either the franchise requirements or the costs.

rit56
join:2000-12-01
New York, NY

rit56

Member

Cord Cutting

It will be interesting to see the numbers after the first quarter this goes into affect. I'm close to done.
ssavoy
Premium Member
join:2007-08-16
Dallas, PA

1 recommendation

ssavoy

Premium Member

Broadband hikes are crazy

In 2010 my bill was $59.95. It's gone to $62.95, then $64.95, now it will be $66.95. Might as well downgrade to the ~$50 12mbps plan, or....gasp.....switch to Frontier and get 24mbps for $55
elefante72
join:2010-12-03
East Amherst, NY

elefante72

Member

Re: Broadband hikes are crazy

Dontcha know, it is getting so much more expensive to provide broadband
I hope you own your own modem....That is just a punch in the gut.

newview
Ex .. Ex .. Exactly
Premium Member
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD

newview

Premium Member

Greedy bastards

quote:
"constantly improving your entertainment and communications experience."
Bullshit ... this is all about greed.
Comcast ... twice yearly rate hikes for Broadband Internet are coming.
catnapped
join:2010-11-22
Elizabethtown, PA

catnapped

Member

Re: Greedy bastards

Last rate increase was March 2013 so they're 10 months apart now.

not quite right
I'm not cool enough to be a Mac person
join:2001-06-23
Puyallup, WA

not quite right to newview

Member

to newview
Comcast is "constantly improving your entertainment and communications experience."

I can vouch that Comcast has never Improved entertainment or communications experience. Just the size of my bill ...
DanteX
join:2010-09-09

DanteX

Member

Just Like Canada

It appears just Like in Canada you folks in the USA have no competition either. Up here in Canada competition doesn't exist but collusion does as when ever one guy jacks their rates up the other guy follows suit instead of keeping rates low to attract people who ditch the guy who just jacked up their rates.

mfeeny
Sweeper51
Premium Member
join:2000-06-03
Detroit, MI

mfeeny

Premium Member

cable tv

i pulled the plug on comcast cable ($90) last year because i really don't watch much during the summer. well i realized it's been a year and a half and it is still off. guess i really don't miss it
Kearnstd
Space Elf
Premium Member
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ

1 recommendation

Kearnstd

Premium Member

Fees in general should be illegal.

Either be honest about what it costs to sell a product or get out of the business. The supermarket does not put a sign on the shelf with a price and then at the register hit you with an "Order Processing and Product Stocking Fee" No because that expense is already part of the prices of what they sell.

Same thing with cell service, Be honest on the sign do not say its 39 bucks a month and then bill 75 because of fees, Advertise it as 75 a month.

Cord is gone
@sbcglobal.net

Cord is gone

Anon

I cut it

I cut the cord and will not look back. 18 Megs from AT&T, plus a digital outdoor antenna is all i need!

Roberto Guer
@sbcglobal.net

Roberto Guer

Anon

Re: I cut it

That's how I did it as well.

nonamesleft
join:2011-11-07
Manitowoc, WI

nonamesleft

Member

No competition

No competition=higher prices. I took off the service protection plan off a little while ago, to save some money. I was having service problems when I put it on, but the issue was corroded connecters on the outside and up on the pole. I don't much care for the idea of my 6/1 plan to go up more.
rody_44
Premium Member
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA

rody_44

Premium Member

what if on contract

Wonder if they will wait until people are off contract or since its a fee they just add it?
Guess im not to upset since comcast is about the last major provider to do it.
Gerard1234
join:2012-04-03

Gerard1234

Member

My bill is higher now by

$23.43 now.
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