Comcast: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox_Company |
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| company_name = Comcast Corporation |
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| company_logo = [[Image:Comcast Logo.svg|210px|Comcast]] |
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| company_type = [[Public company|Public]] ({{NASDAQ|CMCSA}}) |
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| company_slogan = It's Comcastic! also ''More, More, More.'' |
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| foundation = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Tupelo, Mississippi]] (1963) |
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| founder = [[Ralph J. Roberts]]<br>[[Daniel Aaron]]<br>Julian A. Brodsky |
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| location = {{flagicon|USA}} [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]] |
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| area_served = {{flagicon|USA}} [[United States|USA]] |
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| key_people = [[Brian L. Roberts]]<br><small>([[Chairman]]) & ([[CEO]])</small> |
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| num_employees = 100,000 (''2008'') |
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| industry = [[Telecommunication]]s |
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| market cap = [[U.S. dollar|US$]] 54.27 Billion (''2008'') |
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| revenue = {{profit}} [[U.S. dollar|US$]] 30.895 Billion (''2007'') |
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| operating_income = {{profit}} [[U.S. dollar|US$]] 5.578 Billion (''2007'') |
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| net_income = {{profit}} [[U.S. dollar|US$]] 2.587 Billion (''2007'') |
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| assets = {{increase}} [[U.S. dollar|US$]] 113.417 Billion (''2007'') |
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| equity = {{increase}} [[U.S. dollar|US$]] 41.340 Billion (''2007'') |
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| products = [[Cable Television]], [[Broadband Internet]], [[Comcast Digital Voice]], [[Home Networking]] |
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| homepage = [http://www.comcast.com/ Comcast.com] |
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}} |
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{{portalpar|Philadelphia}} |
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'''Comcast Corporation''' ({{NASDAQ|CMCSA}}) is the largest [[cable television]] company, the second largest [[Internet service provider]] and (according to the company) the fourth largest telephone service provider in the [[United States]].<ref>{{citeweb |url=http://www.ncta.com/ContentView.aspx?contentId=73 |publisher=National Cable & Telecommunications Association |title=''Top 25 MSOs - As of March 2007''}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb |url=http://www.isp-planet.com/research/rankings/usa.html |publisher=ISP Planet |title=Market Research - Top 23 U.S. ISPs by Subscriber: Q3 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/technology/AP-Data-discrimination-Bill.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin|title = Bill Bars Traffic Discrimination| publisher = The New York Times|date=2008-02-13| accessdate = 2008-02-13| quote = She cited the agency's investigation of Philadelphia-based Comcast, the country's second-largest Internet provider.}}</ref><ref>{{citeweb |url=http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/feb2008/tc20080220_751279.htm?chan=rss_topDiscussed_ssi_5 |publisher=BusinessWeek |author='''Olga Kharif''' |date=February 21, 2008 |title=''Say Hello To Unlimited Minutes''}}</ref> |
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==History== |
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Comcast was founded in 1963 by [[Ralph J. Roberts]], Daniel Aaron, and Julian A. Brodsky based on a recommendation from Warren "Pete" Musser, of [[Harrisburg]], who brought the deal to Ralph Roberts to buy his first cable system in [[Tupelo, Mississippi|Tupelo]], [[Mississippi]]. The company was incorporated in Pennsylvania in 1969, under the name ''Comcast Corporation from American Cable Systems'', though a former insider says that "Comcast" is a derivation of the name "Communications and Broadcasting". Moving into the area of programming content, Comcast became majority owner of [[Comcast-Spectacor]], [[Comcast SportsNet]] (in [[CSN Chicago|Chicago]], [[Comcast Local|Comcast Television (in Michigan)]], [[CSN Philadelphia|Philadelphia]], [[CSN Mid-Atlantic|Washington DC/Baltimore, MD]], [[CSN Bay Area|the San Francisco Bay Area]], [[CSN Northwest|the Pacific Northwest]] and metro [[CSN West|Sacramento]]), [[E!|E! Entertainment Television]], [[Style Network]], [[G4 (TV channel)|G4]], [[The Golf Channel]] and [[Versus (TV channel)|Versus]] (formerly known as Outdoor Life Network) over a period of years. In 2006, Comcast started a new sports channel in cooperation with [[Major League Baseball]]'s [[New York Mets]], [[SportsNet New York]] in the greater [[New York City]] region. |
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Comcast also has a variety network known as [[Comcast Network|CN8]], or the Comcast Network, available exclusively to Comcast and [[Cablevision]] subscribers. The channel shows news, sports, and entertainment and places emphasis in Philadelphia, [[New England]], and the Baltimore/Washington, D.C. areas, though the channel is also available in New York, [[Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania|Pittsburgh]], and [[Richmond, Virginia|Richmond]]. In August 2004, Comcast started a channel called CET (Comcast Entertainment Television). It is only available to Colorado Comcast subscribers. It focuses on Life in Colorado. It also carries some NHL & NBA Games when Altitude Sports & Entertainment is carrying the NBA or NHL. In January 2006, CET became the primary channel for Colorado's Emergency Alert System in the Denver Metro Area. |
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The UK division was sold to [[NTL]] in 1998. After the sale of their cellular division to [[AT&T#SBC Communications|SBC Communications]] of [[San Antonio, TX|San Antonio]] and the acquisition of Greater Philadelphia Cablevision in 1999, Comcast and [[MediaOne]] announced a $60 billion [[Mergers and acquisitions|merger]] which did not occur until three years later (as [[AT&T Broadband]]). |
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In 2002, Comcast paid the [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland]] $25 million for [[naming rights]] to the new [[basketball]] arena built on the College Park campus, named [[Comcast Center (arena)|Comcast Center]]. |
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On [[January 3]], [[2005]], Comcast announced that it would become the anchor tenant in a new skyscraper in downtown Philadelphia, to be named the [[Comcast Center (office building)|Comcast Center]], not to be confused with the Maryland arena mentioned above. The {{convert|975|ft|m|abbr=on}} [[skyscraper]] is officially the tallest building in Pennsylvania. |
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In December 2005, Comcast announced the creation of [[Comcast Interactive Media]] (CIM), a new division focused on online media. |
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Presently, Comcast serves a total of 24.2 million cable customers, 14.7 million digital cable customers, 12.9 million high-speed internet customers, and 4.1 million voice customers. The company employs over 90,000 people. Comcast is headquartered in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], and also has corporate offices in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], [[Detroit, Michigan|Detroit]], [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]],and [[Manchester, NH]].<ref>http://www.comcast.com/corporate/about/pressroom/corporateoverview/corporateoverview.html Comcast Corporate Overview, as of the Quarterly Report ending September 30, 2007</ref> |
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Comcast announced in May 2007<ref name=Martens /> and launched in September 2008 a dashboard called SmartZone.<ref name=Kukec>{{cite news|author=Kukec, Anna Marie|title=Comcast readies its SmartZone service|url=http://www.beepcentral.com/story.aspx?story=25592|work=Daily Herald via Beep|publisher=Paddock Publications|accessdate=2008-09-11}}</ref> Customers can use the service most likely sometime that year according to the ''[[Daily Herald (Arlington Heights)|Daily Herald]]'' near Chicago, quoting a Comcast spokesperson.<ref name=Kukec /> HP or [[Hewlett-Packard]] led "design, creation and management". Collaboration and unified messaging technology came from open-source vendor [[Zimbra]], according to [[IDG|IDG News Service]], who spoke with a Comcast spokesperson the previous year.<ref name=Martens /> "SmartZone users will be able to send and receive e-mail, listen to their voicemail messages online and forward that information via e-mail to others, send instant messages and video instant messages and merge their contacts into one address book", according to IDG.<ref name=Martens>{{cite news|author=Martens, China|title=Zimbra Helps Comcast with SmartZone|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/131598/zimbra_helps_comcast_with_smartzone.html|work=PC World|publisher=IDG News Service|date=May 7, 2007|accessdate=2008-09-10}}</ref> IDG also noted [[Cloudmark]] spam and phishing protection and [[Trend Micro]] antivirus.<ref name=Martens /> The address book is Comcast [[Plaxo]] software.<ref name=Martens /> |
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== Acquisitions == |
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{{see|List of assets owned by Comcast}} |
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Comcast bought 25% of Group W Cable in 1986, doubling its size. Two years later, it purchased a 50% share in Storer Communications, Inc. Comcast acquired American Cellular Network Corporation the same year before combining with Metrophone in 1990. Comcast became the third largest cable operator in 1994 following its purchase of [[Maclean-Hunter]]'s American division. Comcast owned the majority of the electronic retailer [[QVC]] from 1995-2004 when its share was sold to [[Liberty Media]]. Following other acquisitions, [[Microsoft]] invested $1 billion in Comcast in 1997. |
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In 2001, Comcast announced it would acquire the assets of the largest cable television operator at the time, [[AT&T Broadband]] (AT&T's spun-off cable TV service) for $44.5 billion [[U.S. dollar|USD]]. In 2002, Comcast acquired all assets of AT&T Broadband, thus making Comcast the largest cable television company in the United States with over 22 million subscribers. This also spurred the start of Comcast Advertising Sales (using AT&T's groundwork) which would later be renamed [[Comcast Spotlight]]. As part of this acquisition, Comcast also acquired the National Digital Television Center in Centennial, [[Colorado|CO]] as a wholly-owned subsidiary, which is today known as the [http://www.comcastmediacenter.com Comcast Media Center]. |
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[[Image:AT&T Comcast logo.png|thumb|right|Proposed merger name logo, 2001]] |
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When it was first announced that AT&T Broadband and Comcast were going to merge, the chosen name for the new company was "AT&T Comcast". That decision was changed so as to not confuse current and future investors in the company, and the merged company retained the Comcast name. |
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On [[February 11]], [[2004]], Comcast surprised the media industry by announcing an unsolicited $66 billion bid for [[The Walt Disney Company]], a deal that would have made Comcast the largest [[media conglomerate]] in the world. After rejection by Disney and uncertain response from investors, the bid was abandoned in April. It was later discovered that the deal was mostly for Comcast to acquire one of Disney's most profitable operations, [[ESPN]], in an attempt to expand its sports reach. Comcast has since opted to expand OLN's sports coverage with the [[Tour de France]] and the [[National Hockey League|NHL]], and in the process renaming the network in the United States ''Versus''. Comcast's NHL deal also obligated them to launch a U.S. version of [[NHL Network]] by the summer of 2007. The network finally launched in October 2007.{{Fact|date=October 2007}} |
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Comcast announced on [[March 25]], [[2004]] that its new gaming-oriented television network [[G4 (TV channel)|G4]] (operated by subsidiary G4 Media, Inc.) would acquire [[Vulcan Inc.|Vulcan Venture]]'s [[technology]]-oriented television network [[TechTV]]. The deal was finalized on [[May 10]], [[2004]] - and the two networks became [[G4techTV]] on [[May 28]], [[2004]]. On [[January 11]], [[2005]], Comcast announced that it would drop TechTV from the station's name and again be known as "G4". |
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On [[April 8]], [[2005]], a partnership led by Comcast and [[Sony Pictures Entertainment]] finalized a deal to acquire [[Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer|MGM]] and its affiliate studio, [[United Artists]], and create an additional outlet to carry MGM/UA's material for cable and [[Internet]] distribution. |
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On [[October 31]], [[2005]], Comcast officially announced that it had acquired [[Susquehanna Communications]] (SusCom,) a [[York, PA]]-based cable television and broadband services provider and unit of the former [[Susquehanna Pfaltzgraff]] company, for a net cash investment of approximately $540 million. In this deal Comcast acquired approximately 230,000 basic cable customers, 71,000 digital cable customers, and 86,000 high-speed Internet customers. Comcast previously owned approximately 30 percent of Susquehanna Communications. |
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On [[April 3]], [[2007]], Comcast announced it had entered into an agreement to acquire the cable systems owned and operated by [[Patriot media|Patriot Media]], a privately-held company owned by cable veteran Steven J. Simmons, Spectrum Equity Investors and Spire Capital, that serves approximately 81,000 video subscribers. Comcast will acquire Patriot for a net cash investment of approximately $483 million.<ref>[http://www.comcast.com/About/PressRelease/PressReleaseDetail.ashx?PRID=3 Comcast Corporation To Acquire Patriot Media]</ref> By acquiring the niche provider the deal will plug a hole in its central New Jersey service.<ref>[http://seekingalpha.com/article/31429-comcast-to-buy-patriot-media Comcast to Buy Patriot Media]</ref> |
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=== Adelphia purchase === |
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In April 2005 Comcast and Time Warner announced plans to buy [[Adelphia|Adelphia Cable]]. $17.6 billion was to be paid (partly in stock) in the deal that was finalized in the second quarter of 2006 — after the [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] completed a seven-month investigation without raising an objection. [[Time Warner]] would become the second largest cable provider in the U.S., ranking behind Comcast. As part of the same deal, Time Warner and Comcast would also trade existing subscribers to create larger clusters of customers for each company in various geographical areas.{{Fact|October, 2007|date=October 2007}} |
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The changes became effective on [[August 1]], [[2006]]. As an example, Comcast's systems in the [[Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex]] were traded to TWC in exchange for Time Warner's North [[Louisiana]] market, which covers [[Shreveport, Louisiana|Shreveport]] and [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]]. Also, Comcast in Los Angeles Area was traded with TWC. |
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Also in August 2006, Comcast and Time Warner dissolved a partnership that controlled the systems in the [[Houston]], Southwest Texas, [[San Antonio]], and [[Kansas City Metropolitan Area|Kansas City]] markets. After the dissolution, Comcast obtained the Houston system, and Time Warner retained the others.<ref>[http://www.timewarnercable.com/InvestorRelations/PressReleases/TWCPressReleaseDivDetail.ashx?PRID=1223&MarketID=19 Time Warner Cable, ''Time Warner Cable/Comcast Official Statement'']</ref> On [[January 1]], [[2007]], Comcast officially took control of the Houston system, but continued to operate under the Time Warner Cable brand in the interim. As of [[June 19]], [[2007]], the Time Warner name was officially retired and replaced by Comcast. |
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Comcast also took over Adelphia systems in the [[State College, Pennsylvania]] area in addition to the [[Lewistown, Pennsylvania]] area. |
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In early 2007, Comcast took over Adelphia operations in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade Counties in Florida and Bartow, Pickens, Cherokee, and Forsyth Counties in Georgia.<ref>[http://www.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2005/12/12/daily37.html Comcast adjusts to accommodate Adelphia deal - Philadelphia Business Journal:<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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=== thePlatform purchase === |
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In July 2006, Comcast purchased the Seattle-based software company thePlatform. This represented an entry into a new line of business - selling software to allow companies to manage their Internet (and IP-based) media publishing efforts. Customers of thePlatform include [[Verizon Wireless]], [[BBC Worldwide]], [[PBS]], [[CNBC]], [[CBS College Sports]], and [[HiT Entertainment]] .<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theplatform.com/corp/solutions/ |title= thePlatform Solutions |accessdate=2008-08-01 |publisher= thePlatform}}</ref> thePlatform will also provide media access for Hulu, the joint venture by [[NBC Universal]] and [[News Corporation]] providing on-demand, ad-supported television programming owned by NBC, Universal Studios, and Fox. |
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===Plaxo Purchase=== |
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Comcast purchased Plaxo for a reported $150 million to $170 million price.<ref>http://news.cnet.com/8301-13953_3-9944352-80.html.</ref> |
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== High-speed Internet service == |
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Comcast offers downstream speeds of up to 4, 6, 8, or 17.6 Mbit/s and upstream speeds of 1 Mbit/s, or 2 Mbit/s for the 8 Mbit/s downstream package, for standard home connections. In some areas, they are offering 16 Mbit/s downstream and 1 or 2 Mbit/s (125 kB/s) upstream as a more expensive, yet speedier alternative. These differing speed options are made possible by loading a particular configuration file into the modem. Comcast's "PowerBoost" delivers bursts of 12 to 16 Mbit/s downstream and 1 to 2 Mbit/s upstream for the first 10 MB of the download with their 6 and 8 Mbit/s packages, respectively. Upload speeds are initially capped at their advertised speeds, but after several minutes of heavy upload activity, upload bandwidth is artificially capped to be no higher than the provisioned speed for the plan. In April 2008, Comcast offered a new tier of speed in two cities in Minnesota. The new tier is 50 Mbit/s down and 5 Mbit/s up and uses the new DOCSIS 3.0. This is the first of the 20 percent of Comcast territory to see DOCSIS 3.0. The cost of this new tier is $150.00 per month.<ref>[http://www.twincities.com//ci_8788804?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com http://www.twincities.com//ci_8788804?IADID=Search-www.twincities.com-www.twincities.com]</ref> |
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Although unadvertised, Comcast does offer a reduced connection speed (768kb/384kb) at a lower price in many areas. According to the Comcast High Speed Internet [[terms of service]], customers are provided with dynamic IP addresses.<ref name="tos">[http://www.comcast.net/terms/use.jsp Comcast, ''Comcast High-Speed Internet Acceptable Use Policy'']</ref> |
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Comcast has a policy of terminating broadband customers who use "excessive bandwidth," a term the company refused to define in its terms of service, which once said only that a customer's use should not "represent (in the sole judgment of Comcast) an overly large burden on the network."<ref name="tos" /> Company responses to press inquiries suggest a limit of several hundred gigabytes per month.<ref>[http://www.boston.com/business/personaltech/articles/2007/03/12/not_so_fast_broadband_providers_tell_big_users/ The Boston Globe, ''Not so fast, broadband providers tell big users''] (No longer available)</ref><ref name="nyt">[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/14/technology/14online.html?ex=1181188800&en=06978ee1a8aa9cde&ei=5070 The New York Times, ''Say Good Night, Bandwidth Hog''] (Requires free registration)</ref> In September 2007, Comcast spokesman Charlie Douglas said the company defines "excessive use" as the equivalent of 30,000 songs, 250,000 pictures or 13 million emails in a month.<ref name="gamedaily">{{cite web| url=http://www.gamedaily.com/articles/news/comcast-clarifies-high-speed-extreme-use-policy/18014/ | title=Comcast Clarifies High Speed Extreme Use Policy, September 14, 2007 | accessdate=2007-12-01 }}</ref> Other company statements have said the limit varied from month to month, depending on the capacity of specific cable nodes, and that it affected only the top 1/10th of the top 1 percent of high-speed internet customers. |
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On August 28th, 2008, Comcast confirmed the rumors of a controversial 250GB per month cap on downloads, set to go into effect on October 1st, 2008. <ref>[http://www.broadbandreports.com/shownews/Comcast-250GB-Monthly-Cap-Goes-Live-October-1-97294 Comcast 250GB Cap Goes Live October 1]</ref> As such, Comcast has changed their Network Management page to reflect the new policy. |
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On September 4, 2008 Comcast sued the FCC over the findings. <ref> [http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6593047.html Comcast sues FCC over network management finding] </ref> |
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== Board Members == |
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Five of its eleven board members serve on boards of other companies and institutions. Kenneth J. Bacon sits on the board of Stanford University. J.Michael Cook is also a director at Northrop Grumman and Dow Chemical. Michael Armstrong sits on the board of directors for Citigroup Bank. Dr Judith Rodin serves the interests of the University of Pennsylvania, Electronic Data Systems, Aetna and The Brookings Institute. |
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== Controversies == |
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=== Sports === |
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After the [[Montreal Expos]] [[Major League Baseball|baseball]] team relocated to Washington, D.C. to become the [[Washington Nationals]] in 2004, Comcast alienated many fans in the area by refusing to add the [[Mid-Atlantic Sports Network]] (MASN), which airs the team's games, to its channel lineup. In July 2006, as a condition of its approval of Comcast's takeover of a portion of Adelphia's assets, the FCC ordered Comcast to enter into binding arbitration with MASN to settle their dispute. As a result, on [[August 4]], [[2006]], it was announced that Comcast would carry MASN programming starting in September 2006.<ref>[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA6359937, ''MASN, Comcast Reach Nationals Deal'']</ref> |
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In the Philadelphia region, Comcast uses the FCC's "terrestrial loophole" to avoid negotiations with satellite television services for delivery of Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, which is transmitted via a [[microwave]] broadcasting system instead of satellite (as its predecessor, [[Prism (TV channel)|PRISM]], was a local-only service). This essentially denies competition in the Philadelphia market for games of the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ([[baseball]]), [[Philadelphia 76ers]] ([[National Basketball Association|basketball]]), and [[Philadelphia Flyers]] ([[National Hockey League|hockey]]). Comcast does, however, supply Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia programming to [[Verizon]] for their competing [[FiOS]] video service, even though FiOS is not available to residents of the city of Philadelphia. |
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{{Fact|October, 2007|date=October 2007}} |
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A smaller controversy arose when Comcast and [[Cox Communications]] announced that their systems in Connecticut (outside of Comcast's systems in [[New Haven]], [[Danbury]], and the Northwest Corner — all areas considered to have a sizable number of Mets fans) would not be adding SNY in 2006, if ever, for varying reasons not fully explained. This came to the anger of Mets fans who would need to switch to satellite to watch games due to all of the state being in the Mets' designated territory (thus, games would not be available through [[MLB Extra Innings]], and most [[ESPN]] telecasts would be blacked-out). Comcast's purchase of [[Adelphia]]'s systems in the state and Cox's skeptical eye towards RSN carriage in regards to fan loyalties (also done with YES and NESN in the past) also could be factors. In March of 2008, Comcast systems in Plainville and Hartford added SNY to the expanded basic lineup on Channel 98, but in July of 2008, SNY moved to Channel 26. |
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Comcast does not offer SportSouth as part of its programming package in the Middle Tennessee area which has effected thousands of Atlanta Braves and college sports fans. Braves fans in the Nashville area are basically left in the dark due to Comcast's refusal to add the popular sports channel. However, the channel ''is'' offered as part of its programming package in the Knoxville, Memphis and Chattanooga area. |
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====Big Ten Network==== |
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In June 2008, Comcast struck a deal with the [[Big Ten Network]]. The channel was added beginning on August 15, 2008, and Big Ten Network's [[Video on demand|On Demand]] content was added on August 28, 2008. Comcast did not offer the channel for its first year of existence because of stalled negotiations: Big Ten Network wanted Comcast to place it on Expanded Basic and charge all customers a subscriber fee whether they wanted the channel or not, and Comcast wanted to place the channel on its Sports Entertainment Package, charging only customers who wanted it. The terms of the carriage deal are as follows: <ref> [http://www.bigtennetwork.com/corporate/Comcast-FAQ.asp Big Ten Network's Comcast FAQs]</ref> |
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*Inside The Big Ten states, which are Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Pennsylvania (except in Philadelphia), The Big Ten Network is available on the Expanded Basic level of service. |
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*In Philadelphia, the network is available on Comcast's Digital Classic level of service, to which the vast majority of the company's Philadelphia customers already subscribe. |
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*Beginning in Spring 2009 (after NCAA basketball's regular season), Comcast may move the channel to a digital level of service in certain systems only if the vast majority of its customers already subscribe to that level of service. The decision on whether to move the channel would be made by each system. |
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*Comcast may not carry the network on its Sports Entertainment Package inside the Big Ten states at any time. |
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*Outside The Big Ten states, Comcast may carry the network on any level of service, including its Sports Entertainment Package. |
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*All Big Ten Network football games are available to Comcast to place on "overflow" channels. (see [[Big Ten Network#Overflow feeds|Big Ten Network overflow feeds]]). Decisions about how to offer those games are made by each system, but Comcast has indicated that they do plan on carrying "overflow" games throughout much of the Big Ten region. (see also [http://bigtennetwork.com/gamefinder/index.asp Big Ten Network Game Finder]) |
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=== Reputation for poor customer satisfaction === |
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There have been many reported incidents with individual customers describing less than satisfying interactions with Comcast's customer services. These include situations with technicians falling asleep on the job,<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/26/technology/26comcast.html?_r=1&ex=1152849600&en=648157fe99d77594&ei=5070&oref=slogin New York Times, ''Your Call Is Important to Us. Please Stay Awake.'']</ref> customers having to spend hours on the phone to fix simple problems, and sending a bill addressed to "Bitch Dog" to a customer who had recently complained about her service.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/12/AR2005111200137.html Washington Post, ''Demonizing the Customer'']</ref> On [[October 15]], [[2007]], a 75-year old Comcast customer named [[Mona Shaw]] entered her local Comcast offices with a hammer and destroyed some office equipment before being arrested and fined for damages. Mrs. Shaw was angry and frustrated due to a previous encounter with Comcast customer service in which she and her husband wanted to speak with the manager and were forced to wait outside the offices for two hours before being informed that the manager had already gone home.<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/17/AR2007101702359.html?hpid=artslot Taking a Whack Against Comcast (Washington Post)]</ref><ref name = "hammer"> {{cite web |
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| title =Woman Hammers Comcast — Over and Over |
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| work = NPR.org |
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| url =http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15445805#email |
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| accessdate=2007-10-05 |
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}} </ref> Comcast's customer service quality has prompted several individuals to create blogs and websites dedicated to informing the public of Comcast's service, including one run by media columnist [[Bob Garfield]].<ref>[http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6488057.html?rssid=196 Multichannel, ''Media Columnist Launches ComcastMustDie.com'']</ref> |
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In 2004 and 2007, the [[American Customer Satisfaction Index]] survey found that Comcast had the worst customer satisfaction rating of any company or government agency in the country, including the Internal Revenue Service.<ref>[http://www.theacsi.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=86&Itemid=90 The American Customer Satisfaction Index, ''First Quarter, 2004'']</ref> Comcast's Customer Service Rating by the ACSI surveys indicate that the company's customer service has not improved since the surveys began in 2001. Analysis of the surveys states that "Comcast is one of the lowest scoring companies in ACSI. As its customer satisfaction eroded by 7% over the past year, revenue increased by 12%." The ACSI analysis also addresses this contradiction, stating that "Such pricing power usually comes with some level of monopoly protection and most cable companies have little competition at the local level. This also means that a cable company can do well financially even though its customers are not particularly satisfied."<ref>[http://www.theacsi.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=169&Itemid=168 American Customer Satisfaction Index, ''First Quarter, 2007'']</ref><ref>[http://www.theacsi.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=149&Itemid=157&c=Comcast+Corporation&i=Cable+%26+Satellite+TV American Customer Satisfaction Index, ''Scores By Company: Comcast Corporation'']</ref> |
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Within the Cable Television needs assessment report for the city of Fort Collins, CO February 10, 2004<ref>http://fcgov.com/cable14/pdf/needs-assessment-report.pdf</ref> which was required for Comcast's franchise renewal the city's independent consultant found: |
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"Approximately 62% of the respondents, though, were very dissatisfied (along with another 25% who were dissatisfied) with the cost of cable television service." |
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"A majority of the respondents were satisfied with the friendliness and courtesy of customer service personnel. Overall, approximately 43% of the respondents rated the cable company's performance as fair, 30% regarded it as poor and another 30% rated the cable company's performance as good." |
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===Network Neutrality === |
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Comcast has recently implemented measures using Sandvine hardware which sends forged [[Transmission Control Protocol|TCP RST]] (reset) packets, disrupting multiple protocols used by [[peer-to-peer]] [[file sharing]] networks.<ref>[http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r18323368-Comcast-is-using-Sandvine-to-manage-P2P-Connections DSLReports, ''Comcast is using's Sandvine to manage P2P Connections'']</ref> This has prevented some Comcast users from uploading files.<ref name="autogenerated1">[http://torrentfreak.com/comcast-throttles-bittorrent-traffic-seeding-impossible/ TorrentFreak, ''Comcast Throttles BitTorrent Traffic, Seeding Impossible'']</ref> |
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On August 17, 2007, [[TorrentFreak.com|TorrentFreak]] reported that Comcast has been preventing BitTorrent users from seeding files.<ref name="autogenerated1" /> In October 2007, the [[Associated Press]] confirmed the story that indicates that Comcast "actively interferes with attempts by some of its high-speed Internet subscribers to share files online, a move that runs counter to the tradition of treating all types of Net traffic equally."<ref>[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21376597/ The Associated Press, ''Comcast Blocks Some Internet Traffic'']</ref> In November 2007, Comcast's severe limiting of torrent applications was again confirmed by a study conducted by the [[Electronic Frontier Foundation]], in which public domain literature is distributed over peer-to-peer networks. Analysis of the EFF study finds "strong evidence that Comcast is using packet-forging to disrupt peer-to-peer (P2P) filesharing on their network".<ref>[http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071128-eff-study-reveals-evidence-of-comcasts-bittorrent-interference.html Ars Technica, ''EFF study confirms Comcast's BitTorrent interference'']</ref> The studies show that Comcast effectively prevents distribution of files over peer-to-peer networks by sending a RST packet under the guise of the end user, and denying the connection, which effectively blocks the user from seeding over [[BitTorrent (protocol)|BitTorrent]]. Legal controversy arises because instead of simple filtering, Comcast is sending RST packets to Comcast customers, pretending to be the host user at the other end of the BitTorrent connection.<ref>[http://www.cnet.com/8301-13739_1-9769645-46.html CNET, ''Is Comcast's BitTorrent filtering violating the law?'']</ref> Comcast's BitTorrent throttling was revealed to be through a partnership with [[Sandvine]], although Comcast's internal memos instruct employees to respond to the contrary.<ref>[http://consumerist.com/consumer/insiders/leaks-comcast-contracts-bittorrent-throttling-to-sandvine-315802.php The Consumerist, ''LEAKS: Insider Tells Us There's Proof Comcast Contracts BitTorrent Sabotaging To Sandvine'']</ref><ref>[http://consumerist.com/consumer/leaks/comcasts-we-dont-throttle-bittorrent-internal-talking-points-memo-315791.php The Consumerist, ''Comcast's "We Don't Throttle BitTorrent" Internal Talking Points Memo'']</ref> |
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There is also evidence of Comcast using RST packets on groupware applications that have nothing to do with file sharing. Kevin Kanarski, who works as a Lotus Notes messaging engineer, noticed some strange behavior with Lotus Notes dropping emails when hooked up to a Comcast connection and has managed to verify that Comcast's reset packets are the culprit.<ref>[http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071021-comcast-traffic-blocking-even-more-apps-groupware-clients-affected.html Ars Technica, ''Comcast traffic blocking: even more apps, groupware clients affected'']</ref> A lawsuit, [[Hart v. Comcast]], has been filed accusing Comcast of [[false advertising]] and other unfair trade practices for allegedly advertising unlimited high-speed internet access while in reality working to restrict their customers' usage of the internet.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20071114-comcast-hit-with-class-action-lawsuit-over-traffic-blocking.html|title=Comcast hit with class-action lawsuit over traffic blocking|last=Bangeman|first=Eric|date=10-11-2007|publisher=ars technica|language=en|accessdate=2008-09-24}}</ref> |
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In 2007, Comcast customers reported a sporadic inability to use [[Google]] because forged RST packets are interfering with HTTP access to google.com,<ref name="comcast google rst">[http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19252565-Problems-loading-google-DNS-issues-possibly "Problems loading Google (DSL Reports Forums)"]</ref> which has further angered users.<ref>[http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/10/30/134255 Google Caught in Comcast Traffic Filtering?], [[Slashdot]], retrieved 31 October 2007</ref> |
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In January 2008, FCC Chairman [[Kevin Martin (FCC)|Kevin Martin]] stated that the FCC is going to investigate complaints that Comcast "actively interferes with Internet traffic as its subscribers try to share files online".<ref>[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gyYIyHWl3sEg1ZktvVRLdlmQ5hpwD8U1UOFO0 Associated Press ''FCC to Probe Comcast Data Discrimination'']</ref> During a February 2008 FCC hearing in Boston, Comcast admitted they paid people to hold seats. The company claimed it was so staffers could attend later, but opponents claimed it was to keep Comcast opponents from attending.<ref>[http://news.bostonherald.com/business/technology/general/view.bg?articleid=1083340&srvc=home&position=also Comcast in pact over Net traffic], Boston Herald, Retrieved April 2, 2008</ref> The FCC has stated it expects to rule on the issue by [[June 30]] [[2008]].<ref>[http://avid.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=344566 FCC"s Martin Pleased Comcast "Reversed Course" On P2P], Multichannel News, Retrieved April 2, 2008</ref> |
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Comcast and BitTorrent agreed in late March 2008 to work together in a collaborative effort that will leave the network provider to reconfigure its network to manage traffic in a more protocol-agnostic way.<ref>[http://www.news.com/8301-10784_3-9904494-7.html?tag=nefd.lede Comcast and BitTorrent agree to 'collaborate'], Retrieved April 2, 2008</ref> Implementation was projected for late 2008. |
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Prior to implementation of Comcast's apparent agreements with BitTorrent, Inc., Comcast is reported to be continuing to limit bandwidth available to peer to peer applications. In April 2008, Comcast proposed a "P2P Bill of Rights and Responsibilities" to address potential copyright infringement by users of peer to peer applications,<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/18/AR2008041800051.html Comcast Sets its Sights on Peer to Peer Apps], Retrieved April 18, 2008</ref> but some scholars argue that this is a veiled attempt by Comcast to strengthen its traffic management capability rather than fight copyright infringement.<ref>[http://www.cyberlaw.pro/cyberlawg/copyright/comcast-proposes-p2p-policy.html Comcast Proposes P2P Policy], Retrieved April 22, 2008</ref> |
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=== Lobbying efforts === |
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Comcast spends millions of dollars annually on government relationships.<ref>[http://www.publicintegrity.org/telecom/search/profile.aspx?id=M000018&sec=influence The Center for Public Integrity, ''Comcast Corp. Political Influence'']</ref><ref>[http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStory=56172 The City Paper, ''Cable group, Comcast spend more than $2 million fighting AT&T'']</ref> Regularly Comcast employs the spouses, sons and daughters of influential mayors, councilmen, commissioners, and other officials to assure its continued preferred market allocations.<ref>[http://www.freepress.net/news/14231 Freepress, ''Prominent Ties Among Comcast Hires'']</ref><ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/06/AR2006030601594.html The Washington Post, ''Prominent Ties Among Comcast Hires'']</ref><ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/07/AR2006030701706.html The Washington Post, ''Md. Lawmakers Call for Probe of Comcast Ties'']</ref><ref>[http://www.law.com/jsp/article.jsp?id=1178615087017 Law.com, ''Federal Judge Certifies Antitrust Class Against Comcast'']</ref> |
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Comcast strongly lobbies against "a la carte" bills that would give consumers the option to purchase individual channels rather than a broad tier of programming. These issues continue to garner attention from state governments, Congress and FCC Chairman Martin.<ref>[http://www.publicintegrity.org/telecom/search/profile.aspx?id=M000018&sec=profile The Center for Public Integrity, ''Comcast Corp. Profile'']</ref> |
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=== HDTV Claim and Quality === |
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In many Comcast markets, new HD channels such as SciFi Channel, USA Network and Animal Planet were added in early 2008. Comcast has started transmitting 3 HD channels per [[Quadrature Amplitude Modulation|QAM]] carrier, rather than 2 per QAM like other HD channels. Consequently, available bandwidth per HD channel has decreased, and it has been reported that the video quality of Comcast's new HD channels is inferior to that of competing video services.<ref>[http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=blog&blog_id=100000410&blog_post_id=1150024115 Multichannel News, ''What Comcast's Crunched HD Looks Like'']</ref> |
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== References == |
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{{reflist|2}} |
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== External links == |
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* [http://www.comcast.com Comcast.com: Sales, Stock, and Employment] |
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* [http://www.comcast.net Comcast.net: For Comcast High-Speed Internet customers] |
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* [http://biz.yahoo.com/ic/13/13034.html Yahoo! - Comcast Corporation Company Profile] |
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* [http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-5218720.html Declan McCullough: The Biggest Spammer on the Net? Comcast?] |
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* [http://www.comcastnetworks.com Site for the cable networks Comcast controls] |
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* {{cite web |
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| author = |
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| year = 2007 |
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| url = http://www.cmcsk.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=147565&p=irol-overview |
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| title = Comcast Press Room |
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| format = |
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| work = |
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| publisher = |
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| accessmonthday = January 29 |
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| accessyear = 2006 |
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}} |
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* {{cite web |
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| author = |
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| year = |
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| url = http://www.comcast.com/corporate/about/pressroom/corporateoverview/corporateoverview.html |
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| title = Comcast Corporate Overview |
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| format = |
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| work = |
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| publisher = |
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| accessmonthday = July 31 |
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| accessyear = 2007 |
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}} |
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* {{cite web |
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| author = |
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| year = |
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| url = http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061204/nym099.html?.v=59 |
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| title = Verizon Signs Agreement With Comcast for Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia |
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| work = |
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| publisher = |
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| accessmonthday =December 11 |
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| accessyear = 2006 |
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}} |
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* {{cite web |
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| author = |
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| year = |
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| url = http://www.cnet.com/8301-13739_1-9769645-46.html |
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| title = Is Comcast's BitTorrent filtering violating the law? |
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| format = |
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| work = |
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| publisher = |
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| accessmonthday =September 05 |
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| accessyear = 2007 |
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}} |
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Revision as of 13:17, 30 September 2008
FUCK COMCAST.