TV Programming and "MDUs"

1ddqd

I live in an apartment complex that has FIOS internet available and I've been using 20/20 for a long time now. I loved it, and now I have a HDTV in my living room. Awesome, time for HD Programming. Right now, Verizon is running a promotion for $100 cash back + 100 channels with HD locals for $99 (including my internet).

My total bill would be $99 a month. That's AWESOME. I'm even fine losing some upload bandwidth to get this package. Plus, I'm getting a HD DVR and 2 standard DVRs for the other 2 rooms in my apartment. FANTASTIC!

The install day comes and goes, so I call Verizon. I call them up and ask WTF - they say that the "VCU" (I think that's the acronym) said they couldn't come out because our apartments have a contract already to provide TV to the entire complex. WTF?

I go the apartment office and inquire, they say "Yeah, DishNetwork is the only thing you can have for TV"

WHAT?

So, H/A, I rent a place for $1500 a month and I'm about to review the contract. Can they forbid me from choosing my own TV service? If I go with Dish TV, I have to pay $65 a month, and I only get 1 DVR - standard definition - since I won't do a 24-month commitment. That's complete bullshit. Verizon is offering me a MUCH better deal, but I can't use it as a bargaining chip with DishTV because of the contract they already have.

Arecibo

http://www.betanews.com/article/Apartment-Exclusivity-Deals-with-Cable-Providers-Banned-by-FCC/1193848776

khain

Does Verizon's FIOS internet use the same incoming cable as their TV service? Because according to the article Arecibo linked while the landlord can't be given price breaks for exclusivity they also don't have to enable access to another service.

Arecibo

FiOS is their backbone service for internet, TV, and phone. Since the infrastructure is there, your property management can't deny you service.

1ddqd

Awesome. I've been googling for about 15 minutes and can't seem to get a good result, but is there a link or PDF anywhere to that decision? I'd like to slap it in their faces.

DragonPup

Well, beyond the exclusiveness part, the other possibility is that the apartment building(Multiple Dwelling Unit, btw) may only be wired for cable to come in from the ceiling where the Dish would be, and depending on the size and make of the building, wiring in their own box to the building may be a pretty involved bit of construction.

I would wish you luck getting FIOS installed, but I work for Comcast. (I kid, I kid!)

tsmvengy

Your apartment is already set up for FIOS internet, correct? What extra hardware is needed for FIOS TV? Can you pick it up at a verizon office instead of having someone come out and install it?

If you already have FIOS this is making me think that what your apartment people is illegal. khain is right BUT if the service is already available I don't think they can deny it to you. From that article Arecibo posted it doesn't look like they can say "we have a contract with DirecTV so FIOS can't come in to put your cable box in."

Does the apartment complex have some sort of kickback from DirecTV because of their exclusivity agreement? Because $65 doesn't sound like a deal at all.

If talking to the building management people fails call your local tenants' rights group and see what they have to say.

DragonPup

tsmvengy wrote: »

Your apartment is already set up for FIOS internet, correct? What extra hardware is needed for FIOS TV? Can you pick it up at a verizon office instead of having someone come out and install it?

It depends on how Verizon's FIOS does its loopback into the building and how they hooked the OP up originally. If Verizon legitimately could not install video, but did manage to do HSI and phone, I'd guess that Verizon brought the internet through either where the phone is, or they drilled into the unit itself. The cable jacks are wired to where ever the Dish went (usually in a building of more than a couple of tenets, it is in the basement), and that can create a whole mess of issues. I know it sounds like a cop out from me, but there's a good deal of variable possibilities that I don't know.

While I don't think exclusive contracts are valid anymore, the management can refuse to let Verizon install new stuff in the cable room.

disclaimer: I am assuming FIOS installations are roughly the same principle as cable ones.