TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Residents Plugged Into FCC Decision

ADVERTISEMENT

By LAURA KINSLER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 1, 2007

LIVE OAK PRESERVE - Homeowners unhappy with their cable TV service from Century Communications may be able to get out of the contract by spring.

The Federal Communications Commission will make a decision regarding "bulk billing" contracts between cable companies and apartment buildings or gated communities by March 31.

The FCC voted Oct. 31 to prohibit cable companies from using exclusive contracts for television service in apartments, condos and other private developments. But Century Communications, which provides cable TV, Internet and home security monitoring in Live Oak Preserve and The Hammocks, was exempt from that ruling.

General Manager Bill McKissock said the ruling did not apply to private companies whose cable lines do not cross public streets.

Century is owned by the same family that founded Transeastern Homes, Live Oak's original developer. It has a contract with the community's master association - also controlled by the developer - to provide cable TV, Internet and home security monitoring services.

About half of all homeowners association dues - $1.6 million - go directly to Century Communications each year. Residents have complained that the Internet service is too slow and the cable TV service is antiquated. Century's high-definition programming is limited, it doesn't offer digital videorecorders and it's not compatible with TiVo.

At its Oct. 31 meeting, the FCC unanimously agreed to seek additional public comment on whether to extend the ruling to satellite TV providers and private cable companies and whether to prohibit bulk billing arrangements such as the one Century has with the Live Oak Preserve Master Association.
FCC Commissioner Jonathan Adelstein called such contracts "a more sophisticated and, perhaps, insidious form of exclusive agreements." He noted that customers who are fortunate to receive video programming from other sources have to pay two subscription fees.

The commission is seeking public comment on the bulk-billing issue. Initial comments must be received by Dec. 13.

Anyone wishing to comment on the matter can request a copy of an electronic comment form by sending an e-mail to the FCC Help Desk at ecfshelp@fcc.gov or calling (202) 418-0193.

Reporter Laura Kinsler can be reached at (813) 865-4844 or lkinsler@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT