Post by Site Admin on Nov 14, 2005 6:05:16 GMT -5
It may be time to switch to SATELLITE. The picture is so much clearer as well.
Comcast raises cable rates again
By BRENDA SCHORY
NorthWest News Group
and TOM MUSICK
tmusick@nwherald.com
CRYSTAL LAKE - Another price increase has some area cable TV customers thinking about changing more than channels.
"I was already thinking about switching to satellite," said Melissa Wootton, a single mother of five from Spring Grove who subscribes to Comcast's cable service. "It's just getting old. Every time, there's a price increase for something. I can't afford to keep up with it."
Starting in January, Wootton will have to pay $3 more a month for her standard cable package, from $46.99 to $49.99, Comcast officials said. The price of basic cable will increase 50 cents a month to $16.49 from $15.99, and digital additional outlet service will increase $1 to $5.99 from $4.99.
The price increase, which will take effect in December for new customers, is the third for the Chicago metropolitan area since 2003. All Comcast subscribers in the Chicago area, including McHenry County, will be affected, officials said.
Some area leaders said the company was taking advantage of its stronghold on cable TV in the region.
But Comcast officials said the increase was the result of improvements such as more customer-service employees, more field technicians, evening and weekend installation and service appointments, and better network monitoring.
Comcast spokeswoman Patricia Keenan said the company's rates increased because of its standing as one of the "pre-eminent telecommunication providers in the world." Other Comcast services, such as high-speed Internet, digital telephone, digital voice, digital video recorders, or high-definition TV set-top boxes, will not be affected, Keenan said.
"We keep increasing the things we bring to customers," Keenan said. "We have more channels, new services, exclusive coverage on the White Sox, and now the rights to CBS On-demand. We have 2,000 on-demand offerings. We are heads and shoulders above what you would have seen in this market three or four years ago."
On-demand is a feature that allows subscribers to see a movie or program whenever they want. Some programs are free; others are pay-per-view.
But county board member Ann Kate, R-Crystal Lake, said Comcast was padding its profits at the expense of its customers.
"Unfortunately, we don't have any say over rates," said Kate, who drafted a resolution last year to protest rate increases. "Comcast, to me, is the monopoly in this area. There's not a whole lot consumers can do, and I don't think it's real fair."
Kate also said satellite options such as DirecTV, which require equipment with a clear southern view, are not always feasible.
"The satellite rates are as high or higher," she said, "and there are some areas that can't even get satellite."
Keenan denied that Comcast has no competition in the Chicago area, where it has 1.7 million customers. Comcast began providing service in most of the six-county Chicago area in late 2002.
"Chicago is one of the most competitive markets there is," Keenan said. "Satellite market penetration is 15 to 20 percent. There is nothing exclusive about cable in a community."
But in terms of competition from a comparable cable provider, Comcast competes against RCN in Chicago and Skokie, and with Wide Open West in Elgin and a few other suburbs.
"We've invested a lot in this," Keenan said. "We've been in business for 40 years. Cable is a capital intensive business. Don't fault us for people who don't build the infrastructure. There is nothing to stop a company to build in your area."
Northwest Herald article
Comcast raises cable rates again
By BRENDA SCHORY
NorthWest News Group
and TOM MUSICK
tmusick@nwherald.com
CRYSTAL LAKE - Another price increase has some area cable TV customers thinking about changing more than channels.
"I was already thinking about switching to satellite," said Melissa Wootton, a single mother of five from Spring Grove who subscribes to Comcast's cable service. "It's just getting old. Every time, there's a price increase for something. I can't afford to keep up with it."
Starting in January, Wootton will have to pay $3 more a month for her standard cable package, from $46.99 to $49.99, Comcast officials said. The price of basic cable will increase 50 cents a month to $16.49 from $15.99, and digital additional outlet service will increase $1 to $5.99 from $4.99.
The price increase, which will take effect in December for new customers, is the third for the Chicago metropolitan area since 2003. All Comcast subscribers in the Chicago area, including McHenry County, will be affected, officials said.
Some area leaders said the company was taking advantage of its stronghold on cable TV in the region.
But Comcast officials said the increase was the result of improvements such as more customer-service employees, more field technicians, evening and weekend installation and service appointments, and better network monitoring.
Comcast spokeswoman Patricia Keenan said the company's rates increased because of its standing as one of the "pre-eminent telecommunication providers in the world." Other Comcast services, such as high-speed Internet, digital telephone, digital voice, digital video recorders, or high-definition TV set-top boxes, will not be affected, Keenan said.
"We keep increasing the things we bring to customers," Keenan said. "We have more channels, new services, exclusive coverage on the White Sox, and now the rights to CBS On-demand. We have 2,000 on-demand offerings. We are heads and shoulders above what you would have seen in this market three or four years ago."
On-demand is a feature that allows subscribers to see a movie or program whenever they want. Some programs are free; others are pay-per-view.
But county board member Ann Kate, R-Crystal Lake, said Comcast was padding its profits at the expense of its customers.
"Unfortunately, we don't have any say over rates," said Kate, who drafted a resolution last year to protest rate increases. "Comcast, to me, is the monopoly in this area. There's not a whole lot consumers can do, and I don't think it's real fair."
Kate also said satellite options such as DirecTV, which require equipment with a clear southern view, are not always feasible.
"The satellite rates are as high or higher," she said, "and there are some areas that can't even get satellite."
Keenan denied that Comcast has no competition in the Chicago area, where it has 1.7 million customers. Comcast began providing service in most of the six-county Chicago area in late 2002.
"Chicago is one of the most competitive markets there is," Keenan said. "Satellite market penetration is 15 to 20 percent. There is nothing exclusive about cable in a community."
But in terms of competition from a comparable cable provider, Comcast competes against RCN in Chicago and Skokie, and with Wide Open West in Elgin and a few other suburbs.
"We've invested a lot in this," Keenan said. "We've been in business for 40 years. Cable is a capital intensive business. Don't fault us for people who don't build the infrastructure. There is nothing to stop a company to build in your area."
Northwest Herald article
