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Man Takes Cable TV Issues To FCC

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By LAURA KINSLER

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 28, 2008

LIVE OAK PRESERVE - Zuriel Cabrera's beef with his cable TV company started shortly after he moved into Live Oak Preserve and learned he couldn't receive high-definition channels or use his brand-new TiVo.

On June 18, he took his issues to the Federal Communications Commission. Cabrera, who has been a vocal opponent of bulk contracts between cable companies and homeowners associations, flew to Washington, D.C., to meet with members of the FCC's media bureau and other commission staff.

"I never thought I would be getting into this," he said. "This is definitely a problem that's affecting communities all across the country."

The FCC is considering a rule that would prohibit contracts like the one that ties homeowners in Live Oak with a cable provider for 15 years. Homeowners in this New Tampa community have filed more than 200 comments with the FCC regarding their cable television contract.

"They are reading all the postings," Cabrera said. "They do listen."

He was accompanied by homeowners from other communities that have long-term bulk cable contracts. He said the group provided FCC staff with copies of contracts between developers and cable companies.

"I think it was informative for them because they had not seen the contracts to see how these deals were set up," he said.

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

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