FCC Petitioned Over Cablevision Billing Practices
FILE UNDER ‘IT’S ALWAYS SOMETHING.’
Zoom Telephonics alleges Cablevision is something of a bully in a new petition before the FCC, asking the commission to rethink what it thought about the Altice-Cablevision buy.
‘Cablevision deters its customers from purchasing their own modems by posting misleading information on its website that leads them to believe that they should purchase one of three cable modem models that have been approved for use on Cablevision’s network. However, at least two of these three cable modem models appear to be out of production, and none appears to be available from storefront retailers.
Moreover, Cablevision’s website refers customers to the website of one cable modem manufacturer in a manner that implies that this is the only way customers can purchase a cable modem that can be attached to Cablevision’s network. These anti-competitive practices undermine customers’ right to purchase and attach their own cable modem and impede the goal of creating a competitive retail market for cable modems and other navigation devices.’
The petition for reconsideration of conditions on the Altice acquisition of Cablevision was filed June 2. The filing cites ‘Cablevision’s billing practices violate Sections 201, 202 and 629 of the Communications Act, Section 76.1206 of the Commission’s rules and the public interest standard.’
Boston-based Zoom Telephonics Inc. designs and manufactures communications products including Cable/ADSL Modems/Routers, 3G Wireless-N Routers and Analog products.
See the Full Filing Here[download id=”10981″]
The FCC approved the sale of Cablevision to Altice earlier this year. The sale currently awaits the approval of New York State, where the Public Service Commission is weighing conditions to attach to the sale.