The FCC Report and Order of March 01, 2010 is NOT GOOD NEWS for opponents of Mandatory Cable TV. But you need to read it and understand it in order to continue the fight. To read the full text of the FCC Report and Order, please click this link: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-10-35A1.pdf
Mr. Julius Genachowski Chairman Federal Communications Commission Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division 445 12th Street, SW Washington, D.C., 20554 Dear Chairman Genachowski: I’m writing you to complain about the practice of “Mandatory Cable TV,” which is spreading very rapidly across the country. Please regard my letter as an “informal complaint” on which I expect you to make a ruling. The FCC ruled in October, 2007, that Video Services Providers and owners of Multiple Dwelling Units (landlords) could not make “exclusivity” contracts, meaning that landlords had to allow more than one VSP to have access to their property. Your intent was to foster a level playing field of competition among VSPs and promote consumer choice. But the actual result has thwarted both of those goals, because what the landlords now do is this:...
The following is the exact text of documents mailed to Tenants United For Fairness by the Federal Communications Commission: "The FCC adopted a Report and Order (FCC 07-189) on October 31, 2007 banning the use of exclusivity clauses for the provision of video services to multiple dwelling units ("MDUs") or other real estate developments. The Order finds that nearly 30% of Americans live in MDUs and these numbers are growing. With this proceeding, the Commission is taking another step to foster greater competition in the market for the delivery of multi-channel video programming. These rules will increase choice and competition for consumers residing in MDUs and other real estate developments. In this Order, the Commission prohibits the enforcement or execution of existing exclusivity clauses and the execution of new ones by MVPDs subject to section 628 of the Communications Act. Specifically the Order finds that: exclusivity clauses that bar competitive entry...
To complain to the Federal COMMUNICATIONS Commission: U.S.Mail: Write to: Federal Communications Commission Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division 445 12th Street, SW Washington, D.C., 20554 Writing a letter will be the most effective. TALKING POINTS: Ask FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to re-open an extended period of public comment on Mandatory Cable TV. Point out that the public was not sufficiently notified of this practice and that it came as a complete surprise to tenants. Emphasize that your letter is an "informal complaint" on which you expect the FCC to ISSUE A RULING. Insist that the FCC restore the consumers' right to complete freedom of choice regarding video services. We have the right to choose whether to have VS or not have VS, and from which provider. Make it clear that the ruling you are asking for is a LOGICAL EXTENSION of their ruling of October, 2007. Unless the FCC closes the loophole in...
To see the full information for this blog entry, click on the title of the entry (in green ink above). To contact your U.S. Representative, it is necessary to know your 9-digit zip code. Use this link to find it: http://www.usps.com/zip4 Look carefully at the results of your zip code search, because the info at the top of the page may be incorrect. To see why, read the words next to the yellow triangle ; then click the "show all" link. Search all results for your exact apartment number, because in an apartment complex with multiple buildings, there can be several 9-digit Zip codes. Once you know your exact 9-digit Zip code, click the link below to find the contact information for your U.S. Representative: https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Click the link below to find the contact information for your U.S. Senator: www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
To complain to the Federal TRADE Commission: U.S.Mail: Write to: Federal Trade CommissionConsumer Response Center600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20580 (202) 326-2222www.ftc.gov The FTC also has a toll-free help line: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) (This is the phone number on the petition). Keep a copy of your complaint. Keep a copy of the FTC response, which will have a complaint REFERENCE NUMBER.. Please notify Tenants United For Fairness of the date of your complaint and your reference number so we have it in our files. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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