ACA backs Cable One's request to use one-way HD STBs
By Darren Murph 
posted Dec 2nd 2008 8:04PM
posted Dec 2nd 2008 8:04PM
You won't find us supporting anything that holds back progress in the high-def realm, but Cable One sure is putting forth a convincing argument with its recent waiver request to use simple, one-way HD set-top-boxes rather than the sophisticated two-way units currently required under FCC regulations. For those unaware, the two-way mandate is meant to free consumers from the tight grasp of the cable operator, enabling them to easily use off-the-shelf two-way STBs should they choose. Cable One asserts that the costs are simply too prohibitive for smaller carriers, and it has pledged to add in 50 HD networks at no additional charge should its request be granted; better still, it has promised to fully support any CableCARD devices purchased by customers. The American Cable Association (ACA) has already pledged its support in the movement, though the CEA isn't going to take this one lying down. This one should be interesting to watch.
Once again, Cableone sucks. I don't believe for a second that they would add 50 HD channels. That is total BS. Customers are currently stuck with like, 8 or 9 HD channels. No way would they add 50 more.
I hate cable one and yet ever month I get a bill from them.
I used to be able to get about 12 HD channels with my QAM tuner, now they scrambled all but the locals. Thankfully they got NBC and ABC though as part of those locals finally but I miss my other channels, and don't want to pay more for this shit and have a stupid box on my TV.
Thankfully Midcontinent is finally going to break up their monopoly around where I live.
Ah, a fellow Fargoan eh? Haha. Make the correct move. Ditch cable, switch to dish. DirecTV or Dish, it doesnt matter. Just get rid of Cableone.
Did they just do that in Fargo? I was so pissed off because we had just gotten a new HDTV and were enjoying the free HD channels. Now all we get is the locals. Someone over there probably figured out "hey....I bet we can charge for these....".
Yeah they did just do it in Fargo a couple weeks ago. When they finally came to terms with NBC and CBS to broadcast in HD, they basically decided "hey, we've been offering all these HD channels for free for people with QAM tuners.... that's not very smart! Let's take them away and make them pay for a STB!!! We're Cableone, we can do whatever we want!"
Thinking back to when I was a Cableone sucker, er, I mean subscriber, I think I paid roughly 45 a month for cable, without a STB. I would venture a guess and say that renting a STB from them will cost 10 bucks a month, leaving them charging you 55 bucks a month, for like 10 HD channels. Like I said in a previous post, ditch Cableone and get satellite! Midcontinent isn't much better.