Media One Cable TV, poor service
I have Media One cable TV service. I have experienced poor picture and sound quality on an intermittent basis since May of 1998. I have had different technicians out to my house from time to time. Each technician tells me a different story. For a time I was told that the system was old and hard to find parts for, then it was that the main line needed rebalancing, then it was that I needed a new lead in wire from the street which was never done etc. Another tech told me that the system would be upgraded to Broadband and that my problems would be over when that was completed.
When Broadband was installed, I did get far better pictures and sound on all channels, for about 2 weeks. Then I started getting static in the sound and snow in the pictures, especially on the lower numbered stations numbered 2-22.
For a time I could only watch local channel 4 on channel 70 and local channel 11 on channel 77. Channel 4 and 11 are unstable with snow and static and the screen changes to blue intermittently. After Media One stopped sending out channels 70 & 77, I have given up on channels 4 and 11. Once in a great while they work poorly. I have experienced the loss of all channels, sometimes for a few minutes and sometimes for 1 to 2 hours while I was trying to watch something.
Now this past Sunday 1-23-00, service to channels 2-22 is nearly out again, and none of the local channels are watchable, either with picture or sound. I called to complain again on Sunday, and was told that I had to wait 7 days for next Saturday 1-29-00 to get a technician out again, because I work during the week. This is entirely unacceptable. I am employed as an electronics technician and have worked in the electronics field for 26 years now. There is nothing wrong with the equipment in my house, and no reason that I need to be home for Media One to fix their equipment outside.
I am filing a complaint with the FCC as soon as I meet with the Columbia Heights Cable Commission (the city in which I reside) later this week. I am also filing a charge of false and deceptive advertizing with the Minnesota Attorney General's Office. Media One is running TV commercials on a regular basis suggesting that those who purchase dish's have to purchase a regular antenna to receive local stations, and implying that cable customers can receive local stations through Media One.
In September 1999, I had to spend $150 installing a brand new roof antenna and lead in wire in order to receive local Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota stations 2, 4, 5, 9, 11 that Media One does not provide on a consistant basis.
I feel that Media One is in violation of Minnesota Statutes, Section 325D.44 subd.1 (9) & (13) by falsely advertizing and committing deceptive trade practices by advertizing goods or services with the intent not to sell them as advertized, and engaging in conduct which creates a likelihood of confusion and misunderstanding. Secondly, I have paid all of my Media One cable TV invoices in full and within 2 days of the receipt of the statement. Media One's inability to provide the services that were paid for constitutes a Breach of Contract.