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Some Gossip for Independent Telcos
by Ken Pyle ([email protected]),
Viodi, LLC
The following is intended for
independent telco eyes only and reflect some observations of my service with
Comcast. As Viodi Viewers may recall, I made the switch to Comcast from DishTV
a few months ago. The deal they offered was incredible $22 per month for 16
months, which includes one digital set-top box and an extended basic package
of channels. This is less than half the $48 per month we paid to DishTV package
for a comparable package. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE DEAL and is a testament to
how much Comcast is willing to do to steal DishTV customers.
- Comcast had a door to
door, contract sales person canvas our neighborhood. When he saw that we
had DishTV, he offered us the aforementioned deal.
- Installation was promised
a few days later and a four hour window from 12 to 4 PM was promised. The
installer arrived at 4 PM on the dot. He managed to complete the installation
in 30 minutes, but he was rushed as he had another install to complete.
He did not explain how to operate the set-top and the associated Interactive
Program Guide. He did, however, program the remote control to operate both
the television and the set-top box.
- The installation was pretty
sloppy. The installer could not fit the components in their proper places
in our home furniture, so he left the set-top box on the side of the television.
The DishTV receiver was left plugged in to the electrical outlet and was
left on the floor. It took me about 15 minutes to fish the wires through
the furniture and reposition the set-top in its proper place.
Comcast Install
|
After Customer Clean-up - Note, Location of Set-top
Box
|
- Scanning the email messages
that appear on the set-top, I noticed on August 27th that Comcast had sent
a message titled, “Introducing i-Guide.” The message when on
to state that, “Adelphia is pleased to introduce the all new Interactive
Program Guide. It unlocks a world of greater choice, convenience and control
as you watch TV. For more info visit www.adelphiasocal.com.” It looks
like Adelphia is using the latest version of Comcast’s TV Works Interactive
Program Guide. Somehow, Comcast failed to localize the message to Adelphia
customers and it was sent to Comcast customers as well.
- The following is a message
my sister received when trying to access on-demand content from Comcast.
The set-top appeared to be an older model, Motorola DCT1000 or 1200. A big
oversight is that the message screen did not include contact information
for Comcast. My sister eventually contacted Comcast and received a replacement
set-top box that allows her to access video on demand (her family still
hasn’t ordered an on-demand program).
- To Comcast’s credit,
they put together a clever mailer promoting their high speed Internet offering.
The theme was, “Comcast High-Speed Internet makes learning fast….and
fun.” The features they touted include “Disney Connection (exclusive
Disney content), Security Manager (firewall, privacy and parental controls),
Rhapsody Radio Plus (over 100 commercial-free radio stations), The Fan (movie
previews, music videos & more), PhotoShow (digital photo albums with
captions, music, special effects) and Video Mail. They are offering this
for $29.99 per month for the rest of the year.
- Comcast appears to be reacting
to the demand for local radio stations, as they are adding these to their
digital tier next month. Local radio stations have proved to be an effective,
inexpensive content source that has allowed independent telcos to differentiate
themselves from the out-of-town MSOs.
