This is from comcast own website " What is a CableCARD? FQA:
QUESTION: Will I be charged to use a CableCARD?
ANSWER: The first CableCARD in a retail CableCARD device is free to Comcast customers. If a second CableCARD is needed for the same device (as is the case with certain older model TiVo devices), a charge will be applied based on your area.
-http://customer.xfinity.com/help-and-support/cable-tv/about-cablecards/
operative word is " retail device" which is different from a comcast owned and customer leased equipment.
On the top of the page, it said " Device manufacturers, such as TiVo and Ceton, manufacture devices for retail that can use a CableCARD to access XFINITY TV service." So we know that retail devices are not the comcast own boxes.
I have been told 4 things.
1. $10 is for the cablecard because the comcast box is a retail equipment and considered to be the first free cablecard
2. Comcast box is not retail equipment but the free cablecard it only apples if it replaces your cablebox(not stated in their documentation). So we will charge you $10 for another box to make up for the fact that you are using a retail cablecard device.
3. We will give it you for free but charge you the $10 fee elsewhere such as for the main box that you were not charged before.
4. We will give it to you for free but charge you for an $10 outlet.
According to the FCC website " Use your own set-top box without extra charge. FCC Rule 76.1205(b)(5)(C). Your cable operator may charge you to lease a CableCARD or tuning adapter, but may not charge you an additional service fee for using your own digital-cable-ready television or set-top box."
- https://www.fcc.gov/media/cablecard-know-your-rights
It sounds to me that comcast does not like cablecards and is doing everything to charge you the same money if you rent a cablebox or buy your own.
The information regarding cablecards on their website is not followed at all by their customer service.
You ask them how much for a cablecard and they tell you flat out $10 and when reference their own website " The first CableCARD in a retail CableCARD device is free" they will make up every excuse in the book to shift the $10 to something else.
They have no answer for FCC website " Use your own set-top box without extra charge. FCC Rule 76.1205(b)(5)(C). Your cable operator may charge you to lease a CableCARD or tuning adapter, but may not charge you an additional service fee for using your own digital-cable-ready television or set-top box."
They outright refuse to send you a cablecard but will gladly send you a Cablebox, DTA adapter or any other equipment except a cablecard.
So to recap
1. They will charge you $10 somehow for a cablecard even for your first retail cablecard device(falsely advertising what their own website states)
2. They will charge additional fees to use your own equipment in the event that you get them to admit that the cablecard should be free violating FCC rule " Use your own set-top box without extra charge. FCC Rule 76.1205(b)(5)(C) "
Have this been your experience as well?
Should I file a FCC complain, seek a class action lawsuit,etc..? I have wasted a entire day fighting multiple comcast agents on this and no one can justify their action on cablecard however then try to make the point that no one wants a cable card however why would they if they are going to force them to pay the same as renting a normal cable box in some way?
source:
http://customer.xfinity.com/help-and-support/cable-tv/about-cablecards/
https://www.fcc.gov/media/cablecard-know-your-rights
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