FCC treats apartment dwellers to cable competition
We realize what day it is, but we're pretty certain the FCC isn't messing around on this one. Right on cue, regulators have "approved a rule that would ban exclusive agreements that cable television operators have with apartment buildings, opening up competition for other video providers that could eventually lead to lower prices." The move was apparently "unanimously approved," and Chairman Kevin Martin went on to say that there was simply "no reason that consumers living in apartment buildings should be locked into one service provider." Not surprisingly, a spokeswoman for Comcast proclaimed that "many consumers were likely to wind up paying more for services if the FCC's interference in the competitive marketplace stands," but it's fairly safe to assume Verizon and AT&T see things very differently.
Filed under: Industry, Regulatory, Cable, Fiber, Satellite
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JeffDM @ Oct 31st 2007 3:49PM
I think it would require very creative thinking to make a good argument that it would cost more, at least in the long run.
The only legitimate cost I can think is the expense in laying down the infrastructure so that other cablecos can connect those customers.
Jonathan @ Oct 31st 2007 3:52PM
so is this affective now could i get direct tv at my apartment?
J @ Oct 31st 2007 3:58PM
There shouldn't be anything stopping you from doing that before today, unless your complex has restrictions on placing a dish outside your apartment. If that's the case, you'd probably do best to find a new apartment. This rule is about cable, not satellite.
But I am with you on switching to DirecTV with all of those fancy new HD channels of theirs...
The Pepto Pimp @ Oct 31st 2007 4:04PM
Uuuumm, can anyone tell me anything about neighborhoods. Why is it that there's only one company that provides cable to my neighborhood. What's that about?
Jonathan @ Oct 31st 2007 4:04PM
but i thought this was so people who are stuck with like time warner like me can have like direct tv
i think we couldnt get direct cause the building was in contract
ill try to get more info from the supper
Mike @ Oct 31st 2007 4:06PM
You should know that it is illegal for your landlord to prevent you from placing any kind of antenna (satellite dishes should be included) outside your apartment as long as it is placed in your own private outdoor space (like a private balcony or private porch).
Jonathan @ Oct 31st 2007 4:10PM
i just called and they said we are still only time warner
is there anything i could do
or should i just wait since this just happened
Seth Amott @ Oct 31st 2007 4:11PM
Because most Apartment complexes are wired from the start with just Cable, the Apartment complex has a deal with the local Cable company, in my case it would be Cox. Because of the media that needs to be in place, you can not have the option to switch to AT&T U-verse or Verizon FiOS, like you would in a single dwelling. You should already be able to switch to DirecTV, as far as I know, it is illegal for your apartment complex to say you can't have a dish mounted on your balcony or something. The FCC passed that law a few years back. If your apartment complex says you can't switch to a satellite provider, they are, as far as I know, breaking the law. Like I said, this is only to allow other cable based services to compete.
Jonathan @ Oct 31st 2007 4:13PM
seth amott is there anythin i can print out sayin thats its illegal for apartments to deny people from getting dish so i can show the heads of my buildings
Scott @ Oct 31st 2007 5:16PM
http://www.fcc.gov/mb/facts/otard.html
J @ Oct 31st 2007 4:14PM
@Jonathan
Does anyone else at the complex have a dish? Even if the complex has an agreement I don't see why you couldn't just sign a contract with DirecTV without going through the complex.
Jonathan @ Oct 31st 2007 4:15PM
no one else in my complex has dish as they have probably asked and been told we are only allowed time warner
J @ Oct 31st 2007 4:17PM
Search for "Federal laws about satellite dish placement"
Seth Amott @ Oct 31st 2007 4:24PM
You could probably find the information on it at DirecTV's website. It was a big deal when the FCC ruled in favour of the Satellite companies.
Craig @ Oct 31st 2007 6:13PM
does this work in reverse? what if your apartment has a contract with directv, and you want cable? reason being, i have a dual-tuner tivo that isn't being put to full use and a bedroom tv hooked up to antenna all because the single directv signal in my apartment can't be split
Docc Occ @ Oct 31st 2007 7:46PM
Some people did save b/c when some apts bulk the cable the get a discount (ie basic cable $50 normally but since the entire complex has it, it's only $35 & included in rent.
Does this mean those people's leases are voided?