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Legal Issues

by Mike Masnick

Thu, Aug 14th 2008 8:12am




Filed Under:
antitrust, cable modems, rentals

Companies:
time warner cable


Time Warner Cable Accused Of Antitrust Violation For Requiring You To Rent Your Modem

from the illegal-tying? dept

A guy in Kansas is suing Time Warner Cable for its practice of requiring customers to "rent" their cable modem boxes. He claims that this is an illegal "tying" arrangement, since most subscribers would probably prefer to just own their modem boxes outright. Modem Box rentals have always been something of a scam. It's just a way to charge more for the monthly service, without having to include this extra "cost" in the price that they advertise to consumers. The guy is even noting that this requirement of renting a specific cable modem harkens back to when AT&T required you to rent your telephone from them. The courts struck that down, so hopefully they'll strike down this practice as well.

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  1.  

    Sure hope he's successful

    identicon
    hegemon13, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 8:19am

    I have a nice Motorola cable modem boxed up in the garage that will run circles around the flimsy, unreliable Speedstream that Time Warner stuck me with. I would love to switch them out and save on my monthly bill if Time Warner would support it.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  2.  

    Toss Aways

    identicon
    eleete, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 8:20am

    I can't tell you how many times I have changed services for people or canceled because they were moving. Here in FL Comcast, AT&T/Bellsouth, and Advanced cable do charge modem rentals but allow you to own your own.

    Whenever I cancel service however, they Never ask for the modem back or the little dongles for the telephones. Seems odd to be charging a monthly rental fee on something they give away in the end anyway.

    I started giving their own modem to other customers switching about and they don't even recognize that it's been recycled. Odd, but true.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  3.  

    Forced rental?

    identicon
    Raj, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 8:31am

    I've got a motorola surfboard 5100 that I've had for years and am now on my third cable provider. Both Comcast and Time Warner have not given me any problems bringing my own modem. All they need is the mac address of the modem. Helps me avoid that $3 fee.

    Maybe Time Warner Kansas is different than Northeast Ohio.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  4.  

    Comcast too

    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 8:34am

    Let's hope this spreads to the set top boxes too.
    I am happy and ready to pay for Comcast digital cable but have delayed doing so because I have no place or need for the box they will force me to rent.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  5.  

    Re: Toss Aways

    identicon
    Norm, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 8:35am

    To add to this, I had a friend that ended up with 2 cable modems when he moved to a new house and had to renew service at the new location. Not only did the old modem work, but it worked in tandem with the new one, with totally separate IP addresses. Saved him a lot of wiring/wireless hassle.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  6.  
    identicon
    nipseyrussell, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 8:38am

    while the cable modem is the analogous situation we would also like to see this in the article/lawsuit IS about CABLE BOXES not modems

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  7.  
    identicon
    Matt Bennett, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 8:40am

    Yeah, isn't it the exact same case with Cable set-top boxes? Plus, they're constantly switching things to digital, supposedly for better service, but it also has the side effect of making cable-ready TVs not so cable-ready?

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  8.  

    Not to mention...

    identicon
    Skippy T. Mut, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 8:49am

    ...they are also willing to charge you an additional $10/month for a "wireless cable modem" which is basically a modem with a wireless router built into it (yes the same one verizon gives you FOR FREE with DSL). So basically you're paying $10/month over the life of your service for a $20 wireless router. What a scam!

    On a side note; If you want to find out how to get thousands of people to send you $10 every day just send me $10 and I will rush you my new self help pamphlet: "Stupidity and You...A guide to why you are so stupid"

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  9.  

    Wrong

    identicon
    CS, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 8:57am

    The headline of the linked article is "Man Files Antitrust Suit Against Time Warner Over Forced Cable Box Rentals".

    "Cable box" != "Cable modem".

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  10.  

    Re: Comcast too

    identicon
    jhunter, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 8:59am

    You can get regular cable with out the box...

    Or do what I do, have a TivoHD and get a cablecard from comcast so you can get the digital channels. (the cable card is like 2.50 I think).

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  11.  

    Re: Not to mention...

    identicon
    garfalk, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:00am

    the pamphlet should sound important.


    i would love to own my own box, but i just switched providers and have yet to read into all the agreements.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  12.  

    Comcast

    identicon
    Alimas, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:01am

    Yeah, Comcast does the rental thing to, but you can bring your own modem.
    I've been running the same Surfboard 5100(?) for years now and just gave a spare I had to my girlfriend when she get her internet in her new place.
    I'd be all pissed off if they required I used that specific box and had to "rent" it.
    That'd be analogous to PSNH (power company) charging me a "rent" for the line that goes to my house from the power network.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  13.  

    Re:

    identicon
    Yakko Warner, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:02am

    Which is the first reason I am still on plain old analog cable: because I can take a "cable-ready" TV to any room in the house, plug it in, and watch what I want, without having to buy or rent an additional box *per TV*.

    Digital's great and all, except it costs more, has more channels I'll never watch, requires another box to draw more power and use another remote with more batteries and will just get lost by the kids anyway, and suddenly my "cable-ready TV" is now just a big monitor permanently tuned to channel 3 (or aux video input) -- and the dual-tuner PIP function on the TV becomes pretty worthless...

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  14.  

    Not quite the same

    identicon
    Raquel, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:02am

    Actually, cable boxes are quite different from the modems. The boxes require software updates several times a yr, and require the boxes have the same software. This software comes from the box vendor and has to be purchased by the cable company. It would sort of illegal to push software to a box they don't own...

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  15.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:04am

    i just switched providers and have yet to read into all the agreements.
    There's your problem, smart guy. You are supposed to read the contract BEFORE you sign it.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  16.  

    Re: Re: Toss Aways

    identicon
    Michael Whitetail, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:14am

    People need to be careful with that. Since all addressable equipment needs to be authorized in the DOCSIS standard, they know you have 2 modems, and at least with Brighthouse Networks in Orlando, Florida, they will charge you 2 instances of service because you are getting full speed out of both modems, and an IP address for each modem.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  17.  

    Re:

    identicon
    Michael Whitetail, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:18am

    No. The only reason they are doing so is to save bandwidth in their pipe. With the bandwidth savings of killing off analog, they can send out more video-on-demand stuff, have more HD channels at better quality, and still save money.

    Its all about the bottom line, and replacing older analog equipment, making all the nodes and amps on the network digital and addressable saves them tons of money in maintenance costs.

    Which they wont pass on to you of course, that goes straight to their profit margins...

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  18.  

    Re: Not to mention...

    identicon
    Michael Whitetail, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:23am

    You know what the per month cost of that Home Networking fee really goes for? The telephone support for wireless connections. They support the product they sell, and it costs them alot of time, effort, and money to train, and field the call center reps to handle all of the moron consumers at there.

    Besides that, they don't, and cannot bar you from using your own router. The difference in using yours? Lack of support except by the OEM, who almost always want to point the finger at the ISP.

    The same goes for those that want their own modems. Sure you could get one in the store, but its not typically better quality no mater what you think. They are all standardized to work on the DOCSIS protocol. The real difference is you know its not been used before.

    But if you rented modem goes out, gets struck by lightning, what have you, the cable company will replace it for free. Its added convenience if you want it, and the ability to have your own if you don't; Just accept the consequences.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  19.  

    And don't forget...

    identicon
    CanonicalKoi, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:30am

    The service charge we get in Washington State every month to "rent" your electric meter. $4.00/month--seems like you'd pay the value of the thing pretty quickly....

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  20.  

    Re: Forced rental?

    identicon
    hegemon13, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:39am

    Interesting...I am in Kansas, and the rep told me that the SurfBoard 5100 I had left from Comcast was not an "approved modem." Maybe I should call back and talk to a different rep.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  21.  
    identicon
    Damien, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:41am

    Funny, Charter actually comes out of this looking like the good guy... that's rare. I've had Charter (only cable provider for my area) since 2000 and while they offer to rent you a modem they've had zero issue with me simply purchasing one of my own and notifying them of the new identifying details.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  22.  
    identicon
    Lazy Reporting, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 10:07am

    Suit is about Set Top Boxes, not MoDems.
    Why verify anything.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  23.  

    Re: Toss Aways

    identicon
    Luci, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 10:09am

    Ahh, so people like you would be the reason why I had to explain to customers from Florida why they owed $600 for not returning the rented cable modem that their agreement told them they had to return. Thanks a lot.

    I have yet to see a cable service that rents equipment that does NOT require the equipment's return. People, if you have questions about that rental equipment, call your cable provider. >.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  24.  

    Modem rental

    identicon
    Kevin, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 10:24am

    I wonder if this will affect my DIRECTV as well. I own my box and still have a "Rental" charge. They tell me it is for provisioning, but refuse to change the name to provisioning charge vice rental.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  25.  

    Re:

    identicon
    Sean, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 10:32am

    That is how @home was and insightBB is for me I have used the same modem for about 5 years. I took the option of buying it from the provider 8 years ago and when original the modem died they replaced it with the newest model they had for free

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  26.  

    Cable BOX

    identicon
    JB, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 10:47am

    The article is about cable boxes, not modems. You can use your own modem with Time Warner.

    My TV has a cable card slot and Time Warner will let me use it instead of a cable box, but then I won't be able to receive the channel guide or PPV movies.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  27.  

    All hail Optonline.net

    identicon
    ghost, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 11:20am

    I have optimum online... I hate them for making me rent their stupid cable box or dvr or whatever the heck the flavor of the month is; but thus far I have never been charged for a cable modem. I had by SB5100 die on me, I walked into a customer service center, 5 mins later I waked out with a brand new modem. No rent, no monthly fees for the modem and if I have my own modem they are OK with me using that too.


    Shame on their cable service for making me pay rent for the dumb box and the remote (yeah $3 for the remote)
    Thanks to their internet section for keeping the modems free.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  28.  

    Re: Forced rental?

    identicon
    DaveP in Ohio, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 12:26pm

    I'm in Northeast Ohio, use Earthlink via Time Warner and never have seen a fee for the modem... I didn't have one years ago when I was on RoadRunner either... ???

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  29.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 12:38pm

    "it costs them a lot of time, effort, and money to train, and field the call center reps"

    training the reps? HAHAHAHAHAHA

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  30.  
    identicon
    Anonymous, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 12:54pm

    I used to have Time Warner and they use an old stupid modem making us belive that the newer one i owned is not compatible with their cables and they charged me a rent for every month. I hope this spreads more and TWC is kicked on the butt for this practice.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  31.  

    Re: Sure hope he's successful

    identicon
    chris, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 2:44pm

    call your cable operator, they can swap out the speedstream for yours. it's just a matter of finding the right person to do it but it can be done.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  32.  

    Re: Re: Not to mention...

    identicon
    chris, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 2:56pm

    you are totally right and I agree from personal experience no the support side. you hit the nail on the perverbial head with this comment. these are the facts of the matter, you pay for support and you pay for support, not the equipment, also the lawsuit is highly faulty. Premium channels are available to anyone with a cable card so you can use whatever digital equipment you want, you just can't get the interactive features. Interactive features are technically not part of the cost of the services the customer is receiving, it is added by the provided to enhance the service for the customers who can access that material by using two way boxes(which are owned by the company and can have the company's software on the box.)

    that's my beef and that's the facts IN KANSAS CITY and i'm sticking to it.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  33.  

    Re: Re: Not to mention...

    identicon
    Nasch, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:04pm

    Sure you could get one in the store, but its not typically better quality no mater what you think. They are all standardized to work on the DOCSIS protocol. The real difference is you know its not been used before.

    Sorry, this is just not true. I have an Ambit cable modem + wireless router (they call it a gateway) from my ISP, and it doesn't even touch my Linksys wireless router in features and configuration - that is, how much control I have over it. You could claim that it's the same hardware inside the box with a different interface on it, but I'll only believe you if you back it up with evidence.

    To be fair, you did say "not typically better quality", by which you may have meant strictly reliability and longevity. In that case, maybe it's true. I haven't found either to be substantially more reliable than the other - both work flawlessly almost all the time. And it's too early to tell how long they'll last as they're both pretty new. But other than that, there are major differences, and they're all in favor of the Linksys (except of course that the Linksys isn't a cable modem).

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  34.  

    Re: Re: Not to mention...

    identicon
    Nasch, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 9:06pm

    Sure you could get one in the store, but its not typically better quality no mater what you think. They are all standardized to work on the DOCSIS protocol. The real difference is you know its not been used before.

    OK, so I read your comment again, and you're talking about cable modems and I was talking about oranges. So, never mind. :-) I hope you can get better cable modems from other providers, but I don't know.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  35.  

    Re: Not quite the same

    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 10:36pm

    The boxes require software updates several times a yr, and require the boxes have the same software.
    Those updates are at the operator's discretion. They don't usually have to update if they don't want to. Of course, if they decide they want to add more DRM, cripple some more features, etc. then they may have to update the boxes to do that.
    It would sort of illegal to push software to a box they don't own...
    How so? That's exactly what they do to customer owned cable modems. Once you connect it to their system the cable company takes it over and basically has their way with it.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  36.  

    Re:

    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 10:38pm

    There's your problem, smart guy. You are supposed to read the contract BEFORE you sign it.
    And unless you're a lawyer yourself don't forget to get one to look it over first.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  37.  

    Re: Modem rental

    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 10:44pm

    I wonder if this will affect my DIRECTV as well. I own my box and still have a "Rental" charge. They tell me it is for provisioning, but refuse to change the name to provisioning charge vice rental.
    Maybe you just think you own it. I seem to remember reading about DIRECTV claiming to still own the box even after you've paid for it and getting eBay auctions for them pulled on those grounds.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  38.  

    Re:

    identicon
    Michael Whitetail, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 11:45pm

    Yes, I said 'train the reps.'

    I am a technical writer who spends much of my time in the creation and rewriting of company training manuals to reflect current technology and trends.

    I have seen reference and training documents from Time Warner, Roadrunner, and Earthlink for broadband over cable technical support, including the hoops they make call center agents jump through to support those Home networking products.

    They spend quite a bit of time and money; first in the creation of the training materials and programs, and then in lost productivity and manpower training these reps instead of having them answer the phone.

    The quality of the call center not withstanding, the training regiment is there.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  39.  

    Re: Re: Re: Not to mention...

    identicon
    Michael Whitetail, Aug 14th, 2008 @ 11:51pm

    To be fair, you did say "not typically better quality", by which you may have meant strictly reliability and longevity. In that case, maybe it's true. I haven't found either to be substantially more reliable than the other - both work flawlessly almost all the time. And it's too early to tell how long they'll last as they're both pretty new. But other than that, there are major differences, and they're all in favor of the Linksys (except of course that the Linksys isn't a cable modem).


    Actually that was exactly what I was talking about :)

    I should have been more clear in my post, but I was attempting to say; "Since the modems are all standardized to function on the same protocol, the only market differentiation they could have is the included feature sets of the firmware interface, or external features such as Wireless, Support for VPN tunneling, and the like."

    I just didn't explain it very well, and for that the only excuse I can offer is I was only on my second cup of coffee this morning when I wrote that ;)

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  40.  

    Please (re)move the cable modem comments

    identicon
    Stephen, Aug 15th, 2008 @ 7:37am

    Another whole post should be created for all these mistaken completely off-point modem comments. It's like reading the dialog of a person carrying on a conversation with himself about two completely different topics.

    It really dilutes the quality of the comments.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  41.  

    Re: Sure hope he's successful

    identicon
    Joshua, Aug 15th, 2008 @ 10:27am

    You can.. I am with Time Warner, I get a meesely $3 off of my bill a month lol. But the point is you can do it.. I have an old Moto-Surfboard modem and it's works great.. so in the course of the years I've saved over $100 bucks using it instead of their crapper lol

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  42.  

    Re: Wrong

    identicon
    mike, Aug 15th, 2008 @ 2:35pm

    No, cable box gives you TV, Cable modems give you Internet...

    I cant belive the stupidity

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  43.  

    Wrong

    identicon
    Anon, Aug 15th, 2008 @ 5:37pm

    The problem with this is that the customer is NOT required to rent a digital box from Time Warner. The customer has the option to purchase a box from a company such as TiVo and use a cable card that provides the separable security measure, as defined in a FCC mandate towards the end of last year. Due to cable theft, it is necessary to encrypt most channels, and cable companies are well within their rights to restrict access to these channels, provided they offer a means of decryption, via a cable box or a cable card. Most of the cable boxes you will get these days actually have a cable card in them that provides for the 'separable security'. This guy should have done his homework before he started spending money for a lawsuit.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  44.  

    Re: Wrong

    identicon
    Anon, Aug 15th, 2008 @ 5:42pm

    As a side note, the cable company I work for charges $200 for a lost or damaged box, which is not really feasible anyhow for a customer to purchase the box from the cable company.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  45.  

    I understand but.........

    identicon
    J, Aug 15th, 2008 @ 11:03pm

    While I understand the concern over "leasing cable boxes out" You've got to realize that Time Warner replaces your converter at no cost no matter how many times it goes BAD. If you were to purchase your own converter you would have to deal with warranty issues with the company you got it from and at the same time delaying your digital cable watching experience...........

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  46.  

    Re: Sure hope he's successful

    identicon
    Puddy_Tat, Aug 28th, 2008 @ 10:50am

    Hegemon,

    You can just call them up tell them you have your own modem and you need to get it provisioned. Tell them further to come pick up their modem and you want the $5.00 a month fee deducted from your monthly bill.

    Make sure you get the agents name and I do and put this in an email to yourself and your done!!!

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  47.  

    Re: Re: Toss Aways

    identicon
    Puddy_Tat, Aug 28th, 2008 @ 11:00am

    Toss Aways,

    You need to return this equipment otherwise somewhere down the line if you don't have a singed receipt of receiving the modem THEY WILL CHARGE YOU.

    They are the biggest scum bags known to man but you have to return these items or you will be shafted in the end....

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  48.  
    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Sep 12th, 2008 @ 5:12pm

    TWC Austin, TX has no rental chage on modems. Cable boxes are a bit different, but you are free to buy your own cable converter, just hope it doesn't break.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  49.  

    Re: Not quite the same

    identicon
    Harlan, Oct 15th, 2008 @ 3:57pm

    Could you please explain what could possibly need upgrading several times a year? Even Microsoft has a automatic upgrade, not requiring your assistance to your computer, if there is something that requires an update, I see no reason why there would be a problem upgrading it. The topic was about people wanting to get away from renting a box from there cable supplier. In my case Suddenlink gave me approval to use a DVR that was for sale on ebay, after giving them the information and addresses. Then when I actually went to activate it, they said it wasn't in there system and there fore could not be used, so I am out $500, and not very happy about it.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  50.  

    Cable Box

    identicon
    Nancy, Nov 28th, 2008 @ 3:02am

    In NYC if you use your own cable box they will send a signal that will blow it up. Good old time warner...

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  51.  

    Cable Box

    identicon
    Nancy, Nov 28th, 2008 @ 3:08am

    In NYC if you use your own cable box they will send a signal that will blow it up. Good old time warner...

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  52.  

    time warner cable monopoly

    identicon
    Mickey Deems, Dec 9th, 2008 @ 12:30pm

    Here in Van Nuys California if you want cable you must go to Time Warner cable. There are no other companies available. isn't this a monopoly? Mickey Deems 13114 Weddington St Van Nuys Ca. 91401

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  53.  

    Yea Right

    identicon
    Wrong, Jan 10th, 2009 @ 12:29pm

    n NYC if you use your own cable box they will send a signal that will blow it up. Good old time warner...

    How i know why New Yorkers are so stupid, They do not send a signal to blow up your box. BS Get a grip and put on your tin hat.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  54.  

    Re: Re:

    identicon
    coward 2, Feb 23rd, 2009 @ 2:58pm

    Yeah and calling as 'other' t3 repair person forced to endure 8 hours of 'steps''helping' to the point FINALLY(which i knew in 15 minutes)the parts needing replacemnet!!!

    AND the poor lady's problem had been 'helped' twice before...

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  55.  

    Time Warner Cable Boxes

    identicon
    Linda Suton, Mar 5th, 2009 @ 6:00am

    I have been searching to purchase my own cable boxes to save on the cost of the rental. I am paying about 65 dollars a month just for the rental fees alone!! I do think it is outragous!!! Plus they keep coming up with this faster internet speed crap. I cannot see where they can charge you for the speed of road runner, I think it is a bunch of bull!!! I sure hope that guy in Kansas wins this class action suit so I can purchase my own epuipment. I am being forced to go back to regular tv service!! I do have 5 tvs and everyone of them are used daily. I am paying an ouragous 200 dollars a month to watch tv!!! It is truly nuts!!!

    Linda in Milwaukee Wisconsin

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  56.  

    Re:

    identicon
    Minneh, May 30th, 2009 @ 2:29am

    I'm related to a front counter rep for Time Warner, and I had to agree with you. Train the call center reps? *hysterical laughter* the people in charge of my area's call center couldn't tell you where their coffee mug is much less what to do about any cable issues.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  57.  

    Re: time warner cable monopoly

    identicon
    Minneh, May 30th, 2009 @ 2:36am

    No. It would be a monopoly if Comcast, Cox, Directv, Dish, Verizon and all those other companies didn't exist.

    It's possible where you live falls short of another company's service area, but I'm pretty sure dish and directv would still be usable alternatives regardless where you live. I'm not 100% on that, though.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  58.  

    Re: Re: time warner cable monopoly

    identicon
    Minneh, May 30th, 2009 @ 2:39am

    to edit:

    If those companies were owned by Time Warner Cable or didn't exist.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  59.  

    law suit

    identicon
    shabazz, Jul 31st, 2009 @ 10:05am

    has there been any movement with this suit. I have 2 cable boxes that I cannot connect to Time warner in Cincinnati. That is the biggest pimp game going.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  60.  

    piss poor service and wrongfull billing

    identicon
    Liz Albritton, Jan 24th, 2011 @ 8:09am

    mail fraud sherman anti trust act and FCC violations all over the place no one should use time warner cable ever they never show up on time for installs customer service sucks and after you cancel they still bill you

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  61.  

    time warner sucks asshole

    identicon
    Scott Marlar, Jan 24th, 2011 @ 8:22am

    revolt no one subscribe!!!!!!!! time warner is the worst cable provider on the books fuck you Ted Turner AOL and Hanoi Jane!!!

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  62.  
    identicon
    JoeDISH, Mar 30th, 2011 @ 8:54am

    I have heard there are a lot of issues with TWC. I work for DISH and DISH offers great programming at the lowest prices. DISH is also recognized for great customer service. DISH also has the most HD avail over any pay-TV provider contact DISH today for more info.

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]

  63.  

    Re: Comcast too

    identicon
    Anonymous Coward, Apr 28th, 2011 @ 9:41pm

    You can only recive 2-99 unless you have thier box. Even If you have a Digital tuner to get hbo ect ect you have to have a setup box. The boxes bought outright are around 500.00

    [ reply to this | link to this | view in thread ]


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