Two weeks ago, I offered readers a free On Demand Movie from Comcast. I just received another (thanks Comcast!) so it's time to do it all again. Simply post your location on the this blog's frappr map and you're eligible. (If you are already on the map, don't do anything - you're already entered.) I will select the winner based on the number of minutes that Comcast has me on hold next time my service goes down and I call to complain.
PS: To everyone who no longer has Comcast service or doesn't have a Comcast set-top box and therefore cannot make use of the free movie, don't worry - I have the next prize ready (also graciously contributed by Comcast - can you guess what it is? And what do you think their promotional budget is anyway?) and it can be used by anyone - even if you're a Verizon customer!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Friday, January 20, 2006
FIOS - Good News Bad News
Good News
First, the good news: David Li has won the Frappr contest and will be receiving the free Comcast movie. David, just email me your address and I'll send you the coupon.
I plan to give away more of the crap that Comcast keeps sending me to people who list themselves on the Frappr. So sign up if you haven't already. Everyone on the map is eligible. For those of you that cannot make use of such prizes, peace of mind should be enough. ... Ok, I'll come up with something else.
Bad News
Since I last wrote about the subject of Verizon TV, here's what's happened ... oh, wait, do you want the short version or the long version?
Short version:
Long version: There's been no progress. And it's even worse than that.
Details (If You Really Want To Call Them That)
According to discussion at Wednesday evening's CCAC meeting, there has been a breakdown in communications between the county and Verizon. Negotiations have come to a complete standstill. Let me repeat: Complete. Total. No one is calling anyone else. A Cable Office official had doubts whether Verizon will even show up at the next MFP meeting.
The Cable Office, the Council, the CCAC, the Public - all appear to be out of the loop. We were left with a lot of speculation. So who is in the loop? County Executive Duncan - and he's busy running his campaign to be the next governor of Maryland. (Get this - his campaign motto: Think Bigger. Hmm, bigger overdevelopment, bigger traffic jams, bigger taxes? He really wants us to think about this?)
Executive Duncan has not issued any statements regarding the franchise. He has not held hearings for public input as he did for the Comcast franchise. (He didn't even attend his own meeting with the CCAC and CCC. It's only once a year - is that such a burden?)
What's Wrong With This Picture????
Why isn't there action from Verizon? Probably because there are easier pickings elsewhere. They recently signed a franchise with neighboring Howard County. That at least shows that it's not a problem with the state of Maryland. (The state is significant because they traditionally controlled access to rights-of-way for most of Verizon's lines - and Verizon continued to take advantage of that by laying their FIOS-fiber as "upgrades" so that local communities couldn't interfere.)
And Verizon appears to be on the verge of nailing down a franchise with Carroll County. (For the geographically impaired, Howard is northeast of MC and Carroll County is north of Howard. (MD county map)
This Makes No Sense
So Verizon has laid fiber through half of MC but signs a franchise in a county where they only have 10% laid? And Verizon is actively negotiating in counties where they haven't even begun to dig! Is this a bad dream? Or a calculated move on Verizon's part? Or just a teeny tiny mistake? (Kinda like that teeny tiny "slam dunk" thing.)
Hey, anything's possible. Maybe Verizon is asking for concessions (We're the new guy in town - we need help from the big bad Comcast who has everything locked up.) Seems fair. After all, Starpower got concessions. For instance, StarPower doesn't have to meet certain customer service requirements as long as the number of customers falls below a certain number. Or maybe it's the reverse and the County Executive, having learned his lesson from being walked all over by Comcast, is trying to extract more from Verizon with an even tougher franchise.
I really don't understand the problem. These franchises should be cut and dry things by now. Everyone's signing franchises but MC. (Across the Potomac, Verizon is also getting franchises. For instance, Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax have both signed franchises.) Are we really asking for something so different?
Or is Verizon simply pissed off at all the complaints they've received from the digging in MC. (Admittedly, severing the electricity to the entire neighborhood of one of the councilmembers was not a politically savvy move.) But hey, I think competition is too important. I'm not complaining about a few "minor" annoyances. (They left a cable across two of my neighbors' lawns for 3 months and I didn't call once!) And maybe Verizon is trying to keep Duncan out of Annapolis and has decided this embarrassment is a good way to do it. I don't really know. The Executive doesn't talk to me.
In fact, that's literally true. The Executive has Customer Service Standards which say that the county must respond to e-mail within 2 days. However, I've never received responses to my e-mails to him. Yesterday, I sent him another - requesting an explanation of the holdup over the franchise. His standards also say: In general, all written communication must contain complete, accurate and precise information. Wow. His response oughta clear things right up. Assuming I get one. Anyone willing to lay odds?
First, the good news: David Li has won the Frappr contest and will be receiving the free Comcast movie. David, just email me your address and I'll send you the coupon.
I plan to give away more of the crap that Comcast keeps sending me to people who list themselves on the Frappr. So sign up if you haven't already. Everyone on the map is eligible. For those of you that cannot make use of such prizes, peace of mind should be enough. ... Ok, I'll come up with something else.
Bad News
Since I last wrote about the subject of Verizon TV, here's what's happened ... oh, wait, do you want the short version or the long version?
Short version:
Long version: There's been no progress. And it's even worse than that.
Details (If You Really Want To Call Them That)
According to discussion at Wednesday evening's CCAC meeting, there has been a breakdown in communications between the county and Verizon. Negotiations have come to a complete standstill. Let me repeat: Complete. Total. No one is calling anyone else. A Cable Office official had doubts whether Verizon will even show up at the next MFP meeting.
The Cable Office, the Council, the CCAC, the Public - all appear to be out of the loop. We were left with a lot of speculation. So who is in the loop? County Executive Duncan - and he's busy running his campaign to be the next governor of Maryland. (Get this - his campaign motto: Think Bigger. Hmm, bigger overdevelopment, bigger traffic jams, bigger taxes? He really wants us to think about this?)
Executive Duncan has not issued any statements regarding the franchise. He has not held hearings for public input as he did for the Comcast franchise. (He didn't even attend his own meeting with the CCAC and CCC. It's only once a year - is that such a burden?)
What's Wrong With This Picture????
Why isn't there action from Verizon? Probably because there are easier pickings elsewhere. They recently signed a franchise with neighboring Howard County. That at least shows that it's not a problem with the state of Maryland. (The state is significant because they traditionally controlled access to rights-of-way for most of Verizon's lines - and Verizon continued to take advantage of that by laying their FIOS-fiber as "upgrades" so that local communities couldn't interfere.)
And Verizon appears to be on the verge of nailing down a franchise with Carroll County. (For the geographically impaired, Howard is northeast of MC and Carroll County is north of Howard. (MD county map)
This Makes No Sense
So Verizon has laid fiber through half of MC but signs a franchise in a county where they only have 10% laid? And Verizon is actively negotiating in counties where they haven't even begun to dig! Is this a bad dream? Or a calculated move on Verizon's part? Or just a teeny tiny mistake? (Kinda like that teeny tiny "slam dunk" thing.)
Hey, anything's possible. Maybe Verizon is asking for concessions (We're the new guy in town - we need help from the big bad Comcast who has everything locked up.) Seems fair. After all, Starpower got concessions. For instance, StarPower doesn't have to meet certain customer service requirements as long as the number of customers falls below a certain number. Or maybe it's the reverse and the County Executive, having learned his lesson from being walked all over by Comcast, is trying to extract more from Verizon with an even tougher franchise.
I really don't understand the problem. These franchises should be cut and dry things by now. Everyone's signing franchises but MC. (Across the Potomac, Verizon is also getting franchises. For instance, Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax have both signed franchises.) Are we really asking for something so different?
Or is Verizon simply pissed off at all the complaints they've received from the digging in MC. (Admittedly, severing the electricity to the entire neighborhood of one of the councilmembers was not a politically savvy move.) But hey, I think competition is too important. I'm not complaining about a few "minor" annoyances. (They left a cable across two of my neighbors' lawns for 3 months and I didn't call once!) And maybe Verizon is trying to keep Duncan out of Annapolis and has decided this embarrassment is a good way to do it. I don't really know. The Executive doesn't talk to me.
In fact, that's literally true. The Executive has Customer Service Standards which say that the county must respond to e-mail within 2 days. However, I've never received responses to my e-mails to him. Yesterday, I sent him another - requesting an explanation of the holdup over the franchise. His standards also say: In general, all written communication must contain complete, accurate and precise information. Wow. His response oughta clear things right up. Assuming I get one. Anyone willing to lay odds?
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Upcoming Cable Communications Advisory Committee Meeting
There will be a meeting of the Montgomery County CCAC (Cable Communications Advisory Committee) tomorrow evening - Wednesday, January 18, starting at 7pm. If you are interested in attending, please call the Cable Office first as space is limited - especially this month as it is being held at the studios of Montgomery Community Television (see below). The meeting will include a tour of the studios.
Also on the agenda:
Montgomery Community Television
In case you've never heard of Montgomery Community Television (MCT), it can be found on channels 19 and 21. Most of the MCT shows are not only about Montgomery County but are also written, performed and directed by county residents. MCT not only provides studios and equipment where county residents can create shows; MCT also provides classes to learn how to use the equipment and to produce professional-quality results.
MCT is truly a Montgomery County jewel that more residents need to be aware of. It operates on a shoestring budget with most of the manpower coming from volunteers. Limited funding comes from cable TV franchise fees. And in my humble opinion, this is a very appropriate use of such fees. Tune in. Sign up for a class. You'll be glad you did.
Please Call If Attending
Reminder: Please call the Cable Office if you would like to attend the meeting. The Cable Office number is 240-773-2288.
Also on the agenda:
- customer brochure (which the county lawyers have been studying for months, sigh)
- video choice legislation (the latest source of income for lobbyists)
- email service disclosure handout (more on this in an upcoming blog)
- budget recommendations (see below) and
- Cable Office briefing (i.e., FIOS, Comcast, and other issues that the CO has been dealing with).
Montgomery Community Television
In case you've never heard of Montgomery Community Television (MCT), it can be found on channels 19 and 21. Most of the MCT shows are not only about Montgomery County but are also written, performed and directed by county residents. MCT not only provides studios and equipment where county residents can create shows; MCT also provides classes to learn how to use the equipment and to produce professional-quality results.
MCT is truly a Montgomery County jewel that more residents need to be aware of. It operates on a shoestring budget with most of the manpower coming from volunteers. Limited funding comes from cable TV franchise fees. And in my humble opinion, this is a very appropriate use of such fees. Tune in. Sign up for a class. You'll be glad you did.
Please Call If Attending
Reminder: Please call the Cable Office if you would like to attend the meeting. The Cable Office number is 240-773-2288.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
More Free Stuff - Your Tax Dollars At Work
This blog is my opportunity to express myself about telecommunications in Montgomery County. However, every so often I just can't help myself - I have to talk about something else. This is just one such occasion. What's today's reason?
Chocolate
Buried in the back of the Gazette this week (I'll read anything when I'm not thinking) was a classified ad asking for clinical research volunteers to eat chocolate. (My first thought: Yes! My second thought: Your tax dollars at work.) The NIH National Center for Complementary And Alternative Medicine is studying the effects of chocolate on blood pressure and insulin levels in an effort to see if it can help people with hypertension and diabetes.
The only catch - you must have high blood pressure (My third thought: Shucks, I may not have HBP now but just wait until my internet service goes down again!) and it must be moderate - between 140/95 and 170/110 off medication. (You can't take your regular meds during the 6-week study.) And, of course, you have to be otherwise reasonably healthy, live near lovely Bethesda, etc.
So if you are 'lucky' enough to meet that profile, call 301 496-3244 and get your free chocolate! (Yes, the chocolate is provided.)
In case you are skeptical, I surfed over to the NIH website and found that this is a bona fide study and it really is looking for volunteers. However, the website itself doesn't solicit volunteers - you have to have seen the classified - or read this blog!
PS: It's dark chocolate. Mmmm. Now where'd I put that Ghirardelli bar?
Chocolate
Buried in the back of the Gazette this week (I'll read anything when I'm not thinking) was a classified ad asking for clinical research volunteers to eat chocolate. (My first thought: Yes! My second thought: Your tax dollars at work.) The NIH National Center for Complementary And Alternative Medicine is studying the effects of chocolate on blood pressure and insulin levels in an effort to see if it can help people with hypertension and diabetes.
The only catch - you must have high blood pressure (My third thought: Shucks, I may not have HBP now but just wait until my internet service goes down again!) and it must be moderate - between 140/95 and 170/110 off medication. (You can't take your regular meds during the 6-week study.) And, of course, you have to be otherwise reasonably healthy, live near lovely Bethesda, etc.
So if you are 'lucky' enough to meet that profile, call 301 496-3244 and get your free chocolate! (Yes, the chocolate is provided.)
In case you are skeptical, I surfed over to the NIH website and found that this is a bona fide study and it really is looking for volunteers. However, the website itself doesn't solicit volunteers - you have to have seen the classified - or read this blog!
PS: It's dark chocolate. Mmmm. Now where'd I put that Ghirardelli bar?
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Win an On Demand Movie
Since my Frappr map of blog readers is so new and looking so naked, I figured I'd offer an incentive for readers to add themselves: a coupon for a free On Demand movie from Comcast!
To enter the drawing, find the Frappr link in the right-hand column (look toward the bottom) of this blog, click on it, and add yourself! In one week, I will pick out the Nth person on the Frappr list where N is the number of billing complaints received last month by the MC Cable Office (modulo the number of people on the map). If this is too confusing, just assume I'm using a Ouija board.
If you've already added yourself, you're in the drawing already!
Note, the coupon is only good for Comcast of Montgomery County so you're welcome to add yourself to the Frappr but only subscribers to Comcast of Montgomery County can win the coupon.
And yes, a free movie is a rather miserly freebie but on the other hand I'll mail it to you (or hand deliver it if you live close enough), no charge.
PS: If you win, I will have to ask your mailing address - and it better be close to where you plant yourself on the map. In the interest of privacy, it doesn't have to be exact and you don't even have to give your real name - but I don't want people adding themselves multiple times in an attempt to artificially increase their odds of winning. If there are multiple people very close together, I will treat them as one person in the initial selection. Then I will chose from among that group using the same algorithm as before except based on the number of internet complaints in the last month.
To enter the drawing, find the Frappr link in the right-hand column (look toward the bottom) of this blog, click on it, and add yourself! In one week, I will pick out the Nth person on the Frappr list where N is the number of billing complaints received last month by the MC Cable Office (modulo the number of people on the map). If this is too confusing, just assume I'm using a Ouija board.
If you've already added yourself, you're in the drawing already!
Note, the coupon is only good for Comcast of Montgomery County so you're welcome to add yourself to the Frappr but only subscribers to Comcast of Montgomery County can win the coupon.
And yes, a free movie is a rather miserly freebie but on the other hand I'll mail it to you (or hand deliver it if you live close enough), no charge.
PS: If you win, I will have to ask your mailing address - and it better be close to where you plant yourself on the map. In the interest of privacy, it doesn't have to be exact and you don't even have to give your real name - but I don't want people adding themselves multiple times in an attempt to artificially increase their odds of winning. If there are multiple people very close together, I will treat them as one person in the initial selection. Then I will chose from among that group using the same algorithm as before except based on the number of internet complaints in the last month.
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Cable Compliance Commission Wants You
Montgomery County, Maryland is looking for volunteers to serve on its Cable Compliance Commission. The Commission is different from the cable advisory committee (CCAC) that I frequently mention in this blog. The Commission adjudicates complaints from citizens regarding cable services. The Commission has the power to issue fines of up to $1000.
If you're interested in applying, send a resume and cover letter (no later than January 27, 2006) to:
If you merely want to bring a case before the commission, you must first file an official complaint with the county's cable office. (Use the complaint link toward the bottom of the right column of this blog. That's a reminder that the complaint link will always be in that location.) If the county is unable to resolve the complaint within 30 days, you can request an appearance before the commission.
PS: Try out my new Frappr map, too. Inspire me to keep blogging by letting me know you're out there!
If you're interested in applying, send a resume and cover letter (no later than January 27, 2006) to:
Executive Doug DuncanAppointments are for 3 years and include no compensation other than the satisfaction of resolving consumer complaints.
101 Monroe St
Rockville MD 20850
If you merely want to bring a case before the commission, you must first file an official complaint with the county's cable office. (Use the complaint link toward the bottom of the right column of this blog. That's a reminder that the complaint link will always be in that location.) If the county is unable to resolve the complaint within 30 days, you can request an appearance before the commission.
PS: Try out my new Frappr map, too. Inspire me to keep blogging by letting me know you're out there!
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Automatic Billing - Convenience That Will Cost You
Recently the Washington Post reported on some customer support issues at Verizon. It seems people were getting overbilled (Are you surprised yet?) and a customer living in Olney, MD called to complain. The Verizon representative said, yes, they knew some customers were being double billed.
Surely, I shouldn't have to go on. But some people still tell me they rarely look at their bills (Who has the time?!) and they love automatic billing (It's so much simpler!) All I can say is: Bend over. Verizon is not looking out for your interest. (Comcast, nope, not them either.) Nor is the FCC. And state regulators and county regulators can't do it on their own. You need to watch out for these companies and take action yourself.
Two Recommendations
And during one particularly amazing period of time, I was informed that my account had been turned over to collections for three months of nonpayment - even though I had always paid my bills on time. And bank records showed every one of my checks having been promptly cashed the entire time I was getting dunned for nonpayment. This collections incident was courtesy of Comcast and took place during the period when I was serving on the county's cable advisory committee. If that's the treatment a knowledgeable customer gets, can you imagine the treatment the unknowledgeable customer gets?
No? Well start reading your bills and find out.
"When I asked if they were taking any steps to remedy this by notifying their customers . . . or refunding money, they simply said 'no,' that most people call when they notice that they're being overcharged."According to the article, a Director of Verizon later clarified that the representative had misspoke and that affected customers' bills were being credited. However, my experiences don't jive with that. I have had dozens of incorrect bills from the likes of Verizon, Comcast, AT&T, Sprint, etc. and never ever had them come back to me with a correction without my prompting - unless forced by a government order.
Surely, I shouldn't have to go on. But some people still tell me they rarely look at their bills (Who has the time?!) and they love automatic billing (It's so much simpler!) All I can say is: Bend over. Verizon is not looking out for your interest. (Comcast, nope, not them either.) Nor is the FCC. And state regulators and county regulators can't do it on their own. You need to watch out for these companies and take action yourself.
Two Recommendations
- Read Your Bill
- Do Not Use Automatic Billing
And during one particularly amazing period of time, I was informed that my account had been turned over to collections for three months of nonpayment - even though I had always paid my bills on time. And bank records showed every one of my checks having been promptly cashed the entire time I was getting dunned for nonpayment. This collections incident was courtesy of Comcast and took place during the period when I was serving on the county's cable advisory committee. If that's the treatment a knowledgeable customer gets, can you imagine the treatment the unknowledgeable customer gets?
No? Well start reading your bills and find out.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)