Comcast's statement on Missouri City

From signal problems to rate hikes, some Missouri City residents are upset about their cable company and they took those complaints all the way to city hall. 

Comcast took over from Time Warner earlier this year and some in Missouri City say the transition has not been a smooth one.

READ FULL STORY

Here is the press statement from Comcast Houston:

November 19, 2007

We value our relationship with Missouri City and fully intend to address the issues they raised last week in an effort to deliver the best possible experience to our customers.

We’re working every day to better serve our customers.  In Houston, we’ve continued our practice of in-sourcing our customer service by hiring more than 200 local call center representatives and field technicians, increased appointment availability to seven days a week and invested in new customer care technologies that allow us to proactively monitor network performance so that we can resolve issues before they impact the customer.  In 2008, we anticipate continued job growth, and will look to hire an additional 200 employees in Houston to serve our local customers.

Since entering the Houston market, we’ve added more than 30 new networks, including 14 High-Definition channels, boosted our Internet speeds and introduced PowerBoost Speed Enhancer, a patent pending technology that gives our commercial customers extra bursts of speed when downloading or uploading large files.  We also recently began the roll out of our signature ON DEMAND service, delivering our digital cable customers an ever-growing library of up to 9,300 programs a month, including 150 hours of HD content along with movies, news, sports and children’s programs, network shows and other choices, to watch whenever they want with the ability to pause, fast-forward and rewind selections.  The majority of ON DEMAND content is available at no additional cost to digital cable customers.

Price adjustments reflect the increased value of our services, and a $200 million local investment to improve network reliability, launch new products and services and enhance the customer experience.

Consumer groups ask FCC to fine Comcast

A coalition of consumer groups and legal scholars on Thursday formally asked the Federal Communications Commission to stop Comcast Corp. from interfering with file sharing by its Internet subscribers.

    Two of the groups are also asking the FCC to fine Comcast $195,000 for every affected subscriber.

The petitions will be the first real test of the FCC's stance on "Net Neutrality," the principle that Internet traffic be treated equally by carriers. The agency has a policy supporting the concept but its position hasn't been tested in a real-world case.

The long-standing industry practice of treating Internet traffic more or less equally has started to fray. In tests spanning several states, The Associated Press found that Comcast hindered file sharing by subscribers who used BitTorrent, a popular file-sharing program. The findings, first reported Oct. 19, confirmed claims by users who also noticed interference with other file-sharing applications.

Comcast is the country's largest cable company and has 12.9 million Internet subscribers, making it the second-largest Internet service provider.

Comcast denies that it blocks file sharing, but acknowledged last week that it was "delaying" some of the traffic between computers that share files.

In practice, the company blocks requests from users who are trying to retrieve files from a Comcast subscriber's computer for a period of time. But it eventually lets the requests through if they are repeated.

In one AP test, a request went through after 10 minutes of trying. The technology does not directly affect downloads of BitTorrent files by Comcast subscribers, only uploads.

Comcast has said the interference is intended to improve the Internet experience for all its subscribers, noting that a relatively small number of file sharers is enough to slow down its network.

In response to the filings, David Cohen, an executive vice president at Comcast, said that the FCC's policies recognize that ISPs need to manage the traffic on their networks.

If other ISPs follow in Comcast's footsteps, file sharing would essentially crawl to a halt. While the technology is a popular way to illegally share copyright movies and music, legal uses are proliferating, particularly in movie distribution.

"They're blocking an innovative application that could be a competitor to cable TV," said Marvin Ammori, general counsel at Free Press, one of the advocacy groups behind the petition to the FCC.

The petition asks the commission to immediately declare that Comcast is violating the FCC's policy. The co-signers are Consumer Federation of America; Consumers Union, the publisher of Consumer Reports; Media Access Project; and professors at the Internet practices of the Yale, Harvard and Stanford law schools.

Free Press and another group, Public Knowledge, are separately filing a formal complaint that asks the FCC to demand a "forfeiture" from Comcast of $195,000 per affected subscriber.

The number is based on the statutory maximum of $97,500 for a single continuing violation, doubled by what the groups see as deception on the company's part. Comcast kept its practice secret until publicized by the AP, saying that it couldn't divulge the inner workings of its network for security reasons. Its filtering technique also involves the company forging network messages so that they appear to come from subscriber and non-subscriber computers.

The complaint includes affidavits from three Comcast subscribers who say they have been affected by Comcast's interference. The complaint asks the FCC to determine the total number of affected subscribers.

   It's not clear how quickly the FCC would act on the filings.

"The FCC should be aggressively reviewing these cases because they go to ensuring the freedom and openness of the Internet which is so vital to our communications future and to our civic dialogue," FCC Commissioner Michael Copps said in a statement.

Comcast's Cohen noted that the FCC's policy statement, which says that consumers are allowed to run the Internet applications of their choice, makes that "subject to reasonable network management" by ISPs.

   "The Commission clearly recognized that network management is necessary by ISPs for the good of all customers," Cohen said.

"If Comcast is right -- that what it's doing meets the policy statement -- then anyone can start blocking BitTorrent tomorrow," Ammori said.

A ruling against Comcast could cause problems not only for the cable company, but other Internet service providers. Many of them acknowledge managing traffic to improve flow, which likely includes slowing down file-sharing traffic by means less drastic than Comcast's.

The Net Neutrality debate erupted in 2005, when the FCC abolished the obligation of providers of Internet service via digital subscriber lines, or DSL, to carry all traffic nondiscriminately (that obligation had been abolished for cable broadband in 2002). The obligation was replaced with the policy statement.

Phone companies started suggesting that they would like to be able to charge large Web companies more for guaranteed delivery of their traffic as a way to finance the build out of their networks.

Web anchors like Google Inc. and Amazon Inc., joined by consumer groups, opposed the notion, saying it would make Internet service providers the toll keepers of the Internet and enable them to stifle competition and innovation.

The debate was stilled when AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. agreed to shelve their plans temporarily to get their respective plans to acquire BellSouth and MCI approved by the FCC.

Ammori said it appeared that the "nightmare scenario" portrayed by Net Neutrality proponents like his own group, Free Press, had been averted.

"Then suddenly, out of nowhere, Comcast is doing exactly what we most feared ... secretly degrading an application," Ammori said. "We didn't expect the first violation to be so blatant."

   (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Comcast actively hinders subscribers' file-sharing traffic, AP testing shows

The Associated Press has been running tests on Comcast:

Comcast Corp. actively interferes with attempts by some of its high-speed Internet subscribers to share files online, a move that runs counter to the tradition of treating all types of Net traffic equally. The interference, which The Associated Press confirmed through nationwide tests, is the most drastic example yet of data discrimination by a U.S. Internet service provider. It involves company computers masquerading as those of its users.

If widely applied by other ISPs, the technology Comcast is using would be a crippling blow to the BitTorrent, eDonkey and Gnutella file-sharing networks. While these are mainly known as sources of copyright music, software and movies, BitTorrent in particular is emerging as a legitimate tool for quickly disseminating legal content.

The principle of equal treatment of traffic, called "Net Neutrality" by proponents, is not enshrined in law but supported by some regulations. Most of the debate around the issue has centered on tentative plans, now postponed, by large Internet carriers to offer preferential treatment of traffic from certain content providers for a fee.

Comcast's interference, on the other hand, appears to be an aggressive way of managing its network to keep file-sharing traffic from swallowing too much bandwidth and affecting the Internet speeds of other subscribers.

Comcast, the nation's largest cable TV operator and No. 2 Internet provider, would not specifically address the practice, but spokesman Charlie Douglas confirmed that it uses sophisticated methods to keep Net connections running smoothly.

"Comcast does not block access to any applications, including BitTorrent," he said.

Douglas would not specify what the company means by "access" -- Comcast subscribers can download BitTorrent files without hindrance. Only uploads of complete files are blocked or delayed by the company, as indicated by AP tests.

READ THE REST

Comcast.... WHERE IS MY PHONE NUMBER?

Ray of Houston wrote The Consumer Blog with this problem concerning his Comcast cable phone service:

TWICE now, Comcast has lost our 10+ year phone number, BOTH times without notice and with a lack of customer concern.

For the last 7 days, we can make calls FROM home but not TO home. Callers are greeted with "Were sorry, that number has been disconnected" TOTALLY HUMILIATING.  Effecting our home business and recent invitations to 2 large events each have this number listed for RSVP's. 

My wife and I have spent hours and hours on hold with Comcast.

All we've learned is Comcast still "owns" our outgoing line but some other carrier gained possession of our incoming line.  How? No-one knows! What the heck is that all about?  We pay a large amount (and growing) for all bundled services (phone, cable, internet, security).  We feel like this large corporation has us over a barrel with nowhere to turn.  There is no way to penetrate the phone screening to speak to a real decision maker. 

PLEASE HELP!

We received the message and put an SOS out to Comcast.  Here is what Comcast VP Ray Purser told us:

Mike, the customer has been taken care of.  The phone number was retrieved back from his old provider and has been placed under his Comcast account.  Thanks for bringing this to our attention. 

Have a problem you need solved? Contact us.

Changes to Comcast channel lineup

We have received questions from many of you concerning changes to Comcast's lineup.  The changes go in effect Tuesday October 23rd with new HD channels.

Here is what the company sent us today:

 

• National Geographic HD (Channel 283)
• USA HD (Channel 284)
• A&E HD (Channel 285)
• History Channel HD (Channel 286)
• HGTV HD (Channel 287)
• Food Network HD (Channel 288)
• CNN HD (Channel 299)

The seven new HD channels follow the simultaneous launches earlier this month of TBS HD and NFL Network HD and five other HD networks in June.

[snip]

With today’s announcement, Comcast continues its industry-leading pace of HD expansion, providing the most HD viewing choices and setting the standard for true HD quality.  Including the new additions, Comcast will offer 30 HD channels, such as CBS, ABC, NBC, CW, FOX, PBS, National Geographic, USA, A&E, History Channel, HGTV, Food Network, ESPN, ESPN2, VERSUS/ The Golf Channel, TNT, MHD: Music High-Definition, Universal, MOJO, CNN, HD Theater, FSN, TBS, Cinemax, HBO, Showtime, Starz, HDNet, HDNet Movies and NFL Network.

[snip]

Comcast said it has also enhanced its Spanish-language lineup by launching nine new channels tomorrow to the popular Canales Selecto package.  The new networks include Cine Mexicano (Channel 500), Once TV - Mexico (Channel 501), TeleFormula (Channel 502), Latele Novela (Channel 505), Canal 52MX (Channel 507), SUR Mexico (Channel 508), AYM Sports (Channel 514), History en Espanol (Channel 516) and Galavision (Channel 517).  These nine channels replace four networks – Cine Latino, VH Uno, Canal Sur, Cartoon Network Espanol – that were not highly viewed.

[snip]

In an effort to more closely group channels by genre, Comcast adjusted the location of several networks in the channel lineup.  Last week, the following networks moved channel position while remaining in the same level of service: TBS (to Channel 51 from 31), Spike TV (to Channel 68 from 32), The Golf Channel (to Channel 32 from 68), ABC Family (to Channel 48 from 70), Court TV (to Channel 67 from 71), FX (to Channel 31 from 72) and MSNBC (to Channel 80 from 73).  WE TV is now part of the Digital Classic lineup on Channel 350 and was previously part of Standard Cable on Channel 48.

For more information the company says to go to Comcast.com.

UPDATE:
We had posted that the changes went effect last week, but it is actually Tuesday October 23rd.

Comcast launches new video on demand service in Houston

Comcast sent us a notice that they are adding its On Demand services to the Houston area. The company says the Houston area will have 9,300 programs a month to watch with 150 hours of HDTV content:

Comcast’s ON DEMAND introduction began last week in the Bear Creek, Sugarland and Rosenberg areas of Houston with additional communities to be launched on an almost weekly basis through the end of the year until fully rolled out.  Digital Cable customers will receive detailed written communications in advance of the launch of ON DEMAND in their area.  Customers who subscribe to a digital level of service will receive ON DEMAND automatically, with no need to sign up or receive new equipment.  ON DEMAND is easy to access by simply tuning into Channel 1 or pressing the ON DEMAND button on the Comcast remote control.

[snip]

Other than HD, programming categories include:

Movies:  More than 800 movies available each month, including the latest Hollywood hits, all-time classics and HD films.

Network Primetime:  Hit CBS and ABC shows, including CSI, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York, Survivor, Desperate Housewives and Lost (starts with winter 2008 series return), which will be available the day after they air.

TV Entertainment:  Programs from dozens of leading cable networks, including MTV, VH1, E!, USA Network, Discovery, Lifetime, Oxygen and TNT.

Music:  Hundreds of music videos, behind-the-scenes programs and concert clips along with Karaoke ON DEMAND.

Kids:  Popular children’s programs from PBS KIDS Sprout, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Noggin and Discovery Kids.

Sports:  Extended game highlights from the NFL, as well as action from NBA TV, Speed Channel and VERSUS, including draft picks and player information.

Premium Channels:  Movies and award-winning original series from premier networks like HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, Starz and Encore.

News and World:  Stay informed with CNN, Military Channel, Travel Channel, History Channel, National Geographic and Animal Planet.

Life and Home:  New recipes, decorating tips and wardrobe dos and don’ts are available with ON DEMAND selections from the Food Network, Digital Cookbook, TLC, HGTV and Style.

En Español:  More than 130 hours of Hispanic programming, including Mi Cine, a showcase of popular Mexican cinema, ranging from action-packed films to popular “rancheras” from the 1930s to today.

The vast majority of ON DEMAND content is available at no additional charge to Digital Cable customers.

 

Comcast rollout of TiVo box begins

After more than two years of promises and delays, Comcast Corp. has finally begun rolling out its first set-top boxes that run TiVo's digital video recording technology.

As expected, New England is the first market to get the long-awaited Comcast-TiVo offering. The rollout started in the last few days with test customers only, TiVo spokesman Whit Clay said in a statement Thursday.

The boxes will be commercially available "in coming weeks," a Comcast spokeswoman said. Pricing has not yet been disclosed.

The Comcast-TiVo deal was first announced in 2005 and is considered a key part of TiVo's future as it works to attract more customers and become profitable. TiVo pioneered the DVR and is the best known brand name but has struggled amid cheaper offerings by rivals, including Comcast.

Comcast, the nation's largest cable TV provider, has said it will continue to offer its basic DVR service; the TiVo-based offering will be a premium service.

Shares of TiVo gained 3 cents to close at $7 Thursday.

   (Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

Two Houston TV items today

We talked about this a while ago, but today the Comcast Cable Houston rate increases go into effect. (READ MORE)

In other TV news, we learned that AT&T's U-verse system is now available to 400,000 homes in the Houston area.  That includes Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris and Montgomery counties.  (READ MORE)

Comcast gives DIY version for Internet installation

The Houston Business Journal reports that you can install your own Comcast Internet service:

Comcast Corp. is handing out self-installation kits for its high-speed Internet. The kit contains all the materials needed to install the service, including an installation CD and manual in both English and Spanish and extension cables.

When ordering Internet service, customer service representatives will offer the self-install kit as one of several installation options. If the customer chooses the self-install option, the kit will be shipped to his home within one week, allowing the customer to complete the installation when it's most convenient.

Connection is a simple three-step process and will take as little as 30 minutes.

READ THE REST

Think people will be able to handle this themselves?  Or will they have to call Jay Lee and the Technology Bytes crew?

Houston Comcast transition issue with cable modem

Consumer Blog reader Jim Thompson wrote into us with the following question for our other readers:

After Comcast's transition, neither of the two PC's (w/ Win XP Pro & Vista OS's) could reliably obtain an IP address/connect with any consistency to the new Comcast service. Many long and frustrating calls to Comcast customer service resulted in my being told that my existing Roadrunner Toshiba PCX2200 cable modem was working fine and resulted in unsustainable short-term, heavy-futzing fixes or no fix at all. Some reps had the audacity to even tell me the service hadn't changed. Final option per Comcast customer service was a 1/2 day of my time wasted at my $ cost in the TBD future for an onsite service call (due to service appointment overload).

After over a week of this lunacy, I finally had to deduce on my own that the cable modem WAS actually the issue. So I finally got a customer service rep to acknowledge that I could swap the modem (I believed at the time it would just be another Toshiba PCX2200 modem) if I went to Comcast's "Bellaire" office (actually on Bissonet) and exchange my modem. Well, after waiting 30 minutes at the "Bellaire" office in what I was told was a short line, I exchanged my RoadRunner Toshiba PCX2200 modem for a (surprise!) new "Comcast" labeled Scientific-Atlanta DPC2100RC cable modem. With the new modem I've not had the slightest problem with the new Comcast internet service.

It's possible I just had a single defective cable modem, but the issue concurrence, and then resolution with Comcast service and labeled cable modem respectively lead me to believe that this is a service/modem issue across the board for RoadRunner Toshiba PCX2200 cable modem users.

As such, Comcast was either incompetent in their QA/Call Center advisory regarding the transition & new modem requirement, or hoped to greedily hit the customer up for a service call charge, which would have lasted about only 5 minutes, to swap the modems.

I'd like to know if other Comcast customers had this issue.

So comment and let the man know.

Comcast cable raises Houston rates

Don't look now, but the cost of cable is going up. All Comcast cable subscribers will see an increase on their October bill.

After Larry Soape retired and lost his leg, he started watching a lot of TV. Starting in soon it will cost him more to watch the shows he likes.

"It seems like everybody wants more money," said Soape.

Soape's cable bill is about to go up by about $9. Comcast says bills are going up 6.1% for all its subscribers.

Here's how the rate increase breaks down:

# The standard Comcast cable bill will go up $3 to $47.99 # Digital classic subscribers will see their bills go up $5 to $60.99. # Those with bundles will see a bigger increase depending on the kinds of services they have.

When the Soapes signed up for the phone, Internet and digital cable bundle they got an entry level deal, but that was a year ago.

"When it started out is was $99.99 a month, now it's $180 a month," said Pam Soape.

When Comcast took over the Houston market this summer, officials told us there would be no rate increase. Now just two months later, the company says its adding 10 extra HD channels and upgrading the Houston cable system to include video on demand.

A company spokesperson told us by phone that increasing the prices was "a decision made to closely align the Houston price to be more complimentary with Comcast prices around the nation."

When rates go up, things get busy for Damon Diamantaras.

"Typically it results in a spike in our business," he said.

Diamantaras sells satellite TV services. He says about 30% of Houston is signed up with a satellite provider. Pam Soape says she's sticking with cable, but has a secret when it comes to getting a lower price.

"After the promotional, my bill rises almost every month and when you call about that, they will tell you we have this promotion now or that promotion now and we can do this for you," she explained. "But if you don't call you do not know about those promotions."

Will that work for you? Try it! Comcast says it's hired 200 new call center employees so see if they can give you a better deal.

How does cable compare to satellite?

A lot of that depends on what services you are getting, but there is a basic satellite package for around $20 a month. Remember rate increases are not exclusive to cable, they go up with satellite services too. Bills never seem to go down.

Go to The Consumer Blog to see the company's full plans. (Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Clearing up confusion over Comcast cable increase

We posted about the Comcast cable increase and here is more information to clear any questions up:

Beginning October 1, the average customer’s total bill in the Greater Houston area will increase by approximately 6.1 percent. More than 70 percent of our customers subscribe to multiple products, such as digital cable, high-speed Internet and digital voice, and enjoy significant savings as a result. Price adjustments reflect the increased value of our services, and a $200 million local investment to improve network reliability, launch new products and services and enhance the customer experience.

Comcast is providing customers unprecedented choice with bundled video, high-speed Internet and digital voice services that offer cost-savings and the convenience of one provider. Since entering the Houston market, we’ve added nearly 20 new networks, including five High-Definition (HD) channels, boosted our Internet speeds and added more phone features, including voice mail, for no additional cost. Starting in just a few weeks, we will introduce even more viewing options with the launch of our signature ON DEMAND service, delivering our digital cable customers an ever-growing library of up to 9,300 programs a month, including 150 hours of HD content along with movies, news, sports and children’s programs, network shows and other choices, to watch whenever they want with the ability to pause, fast-forward and rewind selections. The majority of ON DEMAND content is available at no additional cost to digital cable customers. Later this Fall, we also plan to add even more HD networks to our lineup.

We’re working every day to better serve our customers. In Houston, we’ve continued our practice of in-sourcing our customer service by hiring more than 200 local call center representatives and field technicians, increased appointment availability to seven days a week and invested in new customer care technologies that allow us to proactively monitor network performance so that we can resolve issues before they impact the customer. In 2008, we anticipate continued job growth, and will look to hire an additional 200 employees in Houston to serve our local customers.

Houston Comcast cable bills going up

BlogHOUSTON reports that your Comcast cable bill will most likely be going up if you are in Houston.

Comcast will cut you off

According to Consumeraffairs.com, you need to watch how much you download with Comcast's Internet service:

Comcast has warned broadband Internet customers across the country to curb their downloading or wind up on the curb.

The company has a bandwidth limitation that, if broken, can result in a 12-month suspension of service. The problem, according to customer complaints, is that the telecom giant refuses to reveal how much downloading is too much.

The company, which a few years ago advertised the service as “unlimited” has an “acceptable use policy” which enforces the invisible download limit.

The 23-part policy, states that it is a breach of contract to generate “levels of traffic sufficient to impede others' ability to send or retrieve information.” But nowhere does it detail what levels of traffic will impede others.

READ THE REST

So if you have a hankering for downloading classic movies like Ernest Goes to Camp or Problem Child 2, we warned you!

Comcast introduces arbitration notice

Philomena wrote to The Consumer Blog with the following question about Comcast:

I saw on a recent broadcast that Comcast had mailed out something called an arbitration form and if not mailed back to them within 30 days we don't have any right to dispute anything that may come up.

We found out more about this from Comcast's Ray Purser:

"Comcast strives to resolve customer concerns quickly, without the need for arbitration or litigation. That said, arbitration has been a part of Comcast's terms and conditions of service for several years throughout our various service areas. Arbitration is generally a faster, less formal and less expensive friendly fashion, includes a 30-day opt out provision and clearly specifies the choices customers have for resolving disputes with the company."

"The arbitration notice tells customers how and where they can exercise their rights if they have a dispute with Comcast over their service. The policy does not relate to other types of claims like personal injury or property damage."

Where is my TV Guide Channel on Comcast?

Marie wrote The Consumer Blog with the following question:

Why can't we get the TV guide channel on all the TV's in the house like Warner Cable? Are you planning to change this? I really miss it!!

The answer, Comcast told us that they are dropping the TV Guide Channel for analog cable customers.  That means customers with regular old cable like in the 80's and 90's without the fancy on screen guides you control with the remote. 

Will Comcast keep the Road Runner Speedzone Wi-Fi service?

Ryan wrote into The Consumer Blog with this question:

Will Comcast keep the Road Runner Speedzone Wi-Fi service?

Once again, we went to Comcast's Ray Purser and found out.  Here is what Comcast's Vice President of Public Relations told us:

We will continue offering our Wi-Fi service. On July 24th the product will be re-branded as "Wi-Fi powered by Comcast."

READ MORE COMCAST HOUSTON NEWS

More changes coming to cable television

by Jeff Ehling

You may not have noticed it, but new rules for cable TV recently became the law. The changes are to your cable box, and some are worried it will end up costing you more money. 

If you have cable TV, chances are you have at least one set top box that you rent from the cable company.  The FCC made changes to those boxes, but some say that may not be a good thing.

"The FCC mandated that all new converter boxes that we deploy after July 1st have separable security and come with a cable card that can be removed,” said Comcast’s Ray Purser.

   Why the change? In the future, customers will be able to buy their own cable box and then use a cable card to get programming.  The idea is that you will no longer have to rent the boxes at $7 per month from the cable company.  Until the boxes are sold to the general public, you will have to go on renting them.  Because the new boxes cost the cable companies more to buy, cable customers have been worried they'll have to pay more too.

"They are as much as $93 more per box, so considering that the box is more expensive, naturally those costs are going to be transmitted down to the customer,” Purser said.

   But before you get too worked up, Comcast has no plans to raise the cable box rental fee, at least for now.

"We have no plans in place today to increase the box least price,” said Purser.  “However being that this cost has increased, I think it is inevitable the box lease price is going to go up.”

   It's estimated customers will see the rental fees go up by two or three dollars per month per set top box.    For some, that's ok.

"I think it is reasonable for the changes and the upgrades we are going to get,” said cable customer Sherita Jackson. 

   For others any increase is unwelcome news.

"What I've read is that it's more ways to make more money,” said cable customer Steve Jones.

   Customers who have the old boxes do not need to do anything.  The new boxes work the same way as what you have and you are not required to get a new cable box, it's just for new customers or those who request them.

If you can buy the cable box yourself, how much will they cost?  The predicted prices are anywhere from $200 to 300 dollars, but you can't find them on the market just yet.

(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

Will Comcast drop Earthlink?

John, wrote into The Consumer Blog with the following question:

I was told by a Comcast Rep. that they will no longer support Earthlinks use of their cable by the end of this year. He said I would have to switch over to Comcast if I wanted to continue to use cable internet at my house. Is this true?

I went straight to Ray Purser, Comcast Vice President of Public Relations, who told us that is not true:

Comcast will continue to support Earthlink customers.  I apologize that this customer was given wrong information. I would like to track this down so that we can insure that the customer service rep is giving the correct information.

So there is the answer.

Send us your Comcast Cable questions

Goodbye Time Warner Cable, hello Comcast. Remember that this Tuesday is the date the big switch happens.

Check out the following for more:

Comcast Houston cable channel lineup

Comcast releases details about Houston email changes

Hope this helps.

What questions do you have concerning Comcast?

Monday we will ask Comcast your questions and post the answers right here on The Consumer blog. Plus, catch our television story Monday at 4:55pm on abc 13.

Comcast lets us in on Houston email changes

Comcast sent The Consumer Blog info on the new email account changes when Time Warner Cable goes away:

Email
Soon you’ll be transferring your email account(s)to Comcast.

We have a shiny new mailbox waiting for you. Soon we’ll be sending you the information and instructions you’ll need to easily transition your Road Runner email account(s) to Comcast. Keep an eye out for this email–it will be the confi rmation that your change to Comcast has begun and the green light to start the email transfer process.

You will have 60 days from the time you receive this email to complete your email address transition. As part of this process, you will be directed to a Welcome Center, where you will select your email address and be guided through the steps to bring your Road Runner contacts and messages to Comcast. You can also select to alert your Road Runner address book contacts that you have a new email address. We will forward any Road Runner email you receive to your new comcast.net address through the end of 2007. If you wish, you can disable this feature.

Now your lucky number is 7.

With Comcast High-Speed Internet, you get up to seven email accounts. If you currently have more than seven email accounts with Road Runner, you will need to delete a few. You must keep the primary email account (the first account created at service setup) and can choose six other email accounts you wish to transfer to Comcast.net, then delete the rest*.

By the way, your password will remain the same, so there’s one less thing to remember.

What questions do you have concerning Comcast?  Let us know.

Comcast shows us the new Houston cable channel lineup

Comcast takes over the Time Warner Cable system June 19th.  Here are the channel lineups on the new system for subscribers:

What questions do you have concerning Comcast?  Let us know.

Here is more info from Comcast Houston:

If you subscribe to HD, you’ll be getting some new, all-HD channels:

-ESPN2 HD on channel 293 (Expanded Basic Service)
-MHD on channel 296 (Expanded Basic Service)
-Versus/Golf HD on channel 294 (Expanded Basic Service)
-Starz HD on channel 415 (Starz Pack)
-Cinemax HD on channel 419 (Cinemax Pack)
-Universal HD–not new, just moving from channl 293 to 297 (Expanded Basic Service)

Digital Preferred
Digital Preferred (formerly Digital Value) customers are getting 17 new channels, including all the channels that used to be available only in the Movies Plus tier.

-PBS Kids Sprout on channel 128
-MTV Tr3s on channel 141
-Logo on channel 160
-Indieplex on channel 167
-Retroplex on channel 168
-Flix on channel 170
-Gospel Music Channel on channel 172
-ImaginAsian TV on channel 241
-Fox Reality on channel 250
-The Africa Channel on channel 240

Digital Preferred customers also receive free of charge all the channels that were previously in the Movies Plus tier. You will no longer be billed for Movies Plus channels.

Digital Basic
Digital Basic customers will now receive MoviePlex on channel 149 for no additional charge.

Comcast Sports Entertainment Pack
The Sports Extra tier is now called the Comcast Sports Entertainment Pack.  You also get two new channels–GolTV (SAP) on channel 104, and NFL Network on Channel 113.

More Spanish-Language Programming
The Canales Selecto package (formerly Nuestra Tele) now includes GolTV (ESP) on channel 511 and ESPN Deportes on channel 513.

What questions do you have concerning Comcast?  Let us know.

Time Warner is transitioning to Comcast

Well it looks like all of the happy Comcast customers who write into this blog will be overjoyed to see that Time Warner Cable is beginning its transition to Comcast.

The new logo was unveiled yesterday on the cable company’s headquarters. In fact the retail store in Midtown already has the Comcast logo.

The astronaut from the commercials appears to still be around too.

"On June 19th what they'll see is the Comcast name the Comcast logo will be unveiled on all of our vehicles and truck,” Senior VP for Comcast Houston, Tony Speller told Eyewitness News.

Subscribers will also see more programming changes with the addition of 20 new channels.

Comcast taking over Time Warner Cable news

Click here to see the changes we found when Comcast takes over Time Warner Cable.

Comcast changes to Time Warner Cable customers

As we first told you, Time Warner Cable is switching over to Comcast.

We now know a little more from the company's new customer mailing.

Effective June 19th, payments should be made to "Comcast Houston."  Your bill will be a Comcast one by that point.

Comcast officials say cable changes include 20 more channels to the lineup including the NFL Network.

Your service name will change names, but you might be more interested in price reductions that go into effect on June 19th:

Digital Basic:
Was $45.99 a month
Will be $44.99 a month

DVR with Digital Basic:
Was $9.99 a month
Will be $9.95 a month

The Movies Plus Tier for Digital Cable subscribers will no longer be offered for an additional $5 per month; as of June 19th you will no longer be billed for these channels.  They will become part of the Digital Preferred service level at no additional charge.

In July, Comcast High-Speed Internet will be up to a 6 Mbps download.  You can upgrade to a higher 8Mbps download speed.

The company says you will start seeing these changes to the cable TV service in mid-June.  In July, changes will be made to the Internet and phone service.  Comcast will mail out more changes on this soon.

Your Road Runner e-mail address will become a Comcast e-mail.  The company will send an email to you soon with more information.

If you have any questions about the change, you can call 713.341.1000. 

Will Time Warner Cable keep the security system product?

Lance wrote into the Consumer Blog about the Comcast takeover of Time Warner Cable 's Houston customers with the following question:

I have been following the current story regarding Time Warner Cable's move out of the Houston area. While I have seen reference to cable, internet, and phone service, I have not seen any mention on how this may affect customers with Time Warner Security (home alarm monitoring). Do you have any idea or can you please include in future stories related to the Time Warner move.

We talked with Michael Bybee of Time Warner Cable. He told us the following:

While it is unusual for a cable company to be involved in the security business, it is a very important component of Time Warner Cable. Along with the other excellent services our customers are accustomed to; we will continue to provide security.

13 EXCLUSIVE: Time Warner Cable leaving Houston

The Action 13 Consumer Department has learned there will be a big change coming to nearly every cable customer in Houston. Time Warner Cable is leaving Houston and Comcast is replacing it.

It was an internal Time Warner Cable e-mail that alerted us to the coming change.

While Time Warner Cable employees cannot talk about the details, we do know Time
Warner Cable is leaving the Houston market and Comcast cable is replacing it.

According to the division president of Time Warner Cable cable, the company is giving control of the Houston market to Comcast under an agreement reached back
in 1985.

The two companies have been swapping markets recently after closing a deal to buy up bankrupt Adelphia cable.

The Houston cable swap will not take place until January 1st 2007 at the earliest.

So what does this mean for you? According to the e-mail Time Warner Cable will quote, "continue conducting business as usual providing excellent products and services to our customers."

We've been told to expect a formal announcement from Time Warner Cable tomorrow morning.

Jeff Ehling, 13 Eyewitness News.

Time Warner Cable Statement (UPDATED 4 pm):

The Houston Division of Time Warner Cable is jointly owned by a 50-50 venture between Time Warner Cable and Comcast.  During the period of joint ownership, Time Warner Cable assumed management for the Houston Division.  Other divisions included in this partnership are Southwest Texas and Kansas City. 

Both companies have been involved in the purchase of Adelphia cable systems across the country and are in a series of trades and swaps for control of various cable markets.

Despite Time Warner Cable’s strong presence in Texas and the appeal of continuing to operate Houston as part of its Texas cluster, the Company has selected the Kansas City-Southwest Texas pool.  Both of the pools contain very attractive, well-managed cable properties.  The decision to select the systems in Kansas City, Southwest Texas and New Mexico was driven by economic considerations stemming from the fact that the entire $2 billion debt from the partnership had been placed on the Houston properties.  This decision is consistent with our strategy of expansion through acquisition of systems that are attractively valued.

Time Warner Cable’s presence in Texas expanded from 2.1 million to 2.7 million subscribers after the recent Adelphia transaction concluded.  It is expected that once the dissolution of the partnership is concluded, Time Warner Cable will still manage 1.9 million customers in Texas and remain the primary cable provider in the State.

Comcast is the country’s largest cable provider and has a strong reputation for providing the very best in products and services to its customers. 

The dissolution of the partnership is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory and franchise review and approvals.  The transaction is not expected to close before the first quarter of 2007. 

Our 2,000-plus TWC employees will continue to strive to provide our customers the excellent products and services that they are accustomed to.  Our desire to achieve high levels of customer satisfaction will not waver.

About Time Warner Cable-Houston
Time Warner Cable (www.twchouston.com) is Houston’s leading in-home entertainment, communications and information company, serving approximately 1.8 million homes in the Houston metro area.  The company has built its reputation on providing customers with choice, value and world-class customer service. Time Warner Cable is an industry leader in delivering advanced products and services such as digital cable, video on demand, high definition television, digital video recorders, high-speed Internet service, wireless home networking, and residential telephone service. Time Warner Cable is a division of Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: TWX), a leading media and entertainment company, whose businesses include interactive services, cable systems, filmed entertainment, television networks and publishing.

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