From: rxv9839@ritvax.isc.rit.edu (Bob Vogel)
Subject: Re: Why is cable so bad?
Reply-To: rxv9839@ritvax.isc.rit.edu
Organization: Rochester Institute of Technology
Date: Sat, 9 Jan 1993 18:25:02 GMT

In article <1993Jan7.082608.26346@magnus.acs.ohio-state.edu>, jebright@magnus.
acs.ohio-state.edu (James R Ebright) writes:
>Almost all cable companies operate under a franchise agreement with a
>local gov.  Many of these agreements have technical quality requirements.
> 
>If the cable operator can not supply a signal that meets the requirements,
>then you can put them is hot water with their franchisor.

About the same time as the original Cable Act 1984 (de-regulation) and/or as
part of it, the FCC specifically deregulated the technical requirements they
had had {which incidentally ONLY applied to off-air channels, not satellite
delivered channes} and prohibited states and cities from enforcing any
technical requirements.  Effective this year Jan93 and not related to the new
cable regualtion act (S12) the FCC has re-imposed technical regulatin which
covers all NTSC delivered channels including satellite delivered ones.  The
requirements are more stringent than their old ones and cover more areas.  They
still superceed any state or local requirements.  While there is proviso for
the FCC to intervene with the cable system and check kand enforec compliance,
the reality is that they are not going to send in the test van for a single
individual subscriber complaint.  It's not a lack of desire on their part, its
a lack of money.  For example, they no longer respond, even by mailed out
notices to individual complaints of TV interference from CB etc.  {they will
send you some suggestions on how to self troubleshoot and cure}

>In practice, complain, complain, complain.  Most operators send a shaved
>ape out on the first complaint.  A good operator will escilate(sp) to
>more qualified techs on re-calls on the complaint.  Most operators rallxxx
>really want to fix problems.  If they don't, complain to City Hall!

Given the above, you general advice is still correct.  Most operators want to
keep good relation with city hall and many are coming up for franchise renewals
and tend to be doubly concerned.  IN fact a good problem resolution procedure
would be:
1.  Set up a trouble call.  Most problems should be fixed on that first visit. 
Problems that originate in the headend may take a bit longer.  Worst of all is
the intermittent problem.  That could take many visits.  Its just like your
car.  If the tech can't see the problem happening, it can be very hard to
impossible to locate.
2.  Short of an intermittent problem, if its not resolved ask for the chief
technician/engineer or plant manager to call you and ask him/her what the
problem is in resolving your problem.
3.  If that doesn't work, make a formal written complaint to the system
manager, either followed or preceeded by a phone call.
4.  Next step is the city or county, whoever franchises you.  Again at this
point, document with a letter.
5.  If the problem is still not fixed in a reasonable time, write the FCC. 
Include copies of all previous letters.  If you know others who are having the
problem, write together if you can.  It will carry more weight.
The FCC's initial response will probably to forward a copy of your letter to
the system manager and ask for a response to yourproblem.  While this may seem
redundant, it may effect a fix that your original letter did not.

>(Those folks in Central Square can be responsive.  -- Cambridge remarke)
>
>-- 
>		Jim Ebright (james.ebright@osu.edu) 
>    "Spam, eggs, sausage and spam - that's not got much spam in it."
>    Fax # 614-785-0292.  Tel # 614-785-0282.  Beeper # 614-646-1093
>     >>>    All kids can be educated -- even yours and mine.    <<<

Bob Vogel
Newsgroups: rec.video.cable-tv