The City of
Richfield, as well as many other metro area communities, has been
receiving a high number of complaints recently about Comcast services
and rates. While the City is concerned about the cable television
service our residents receive, it is important to clarify that cities
only have authority to regulate basic cable service rates and associated
equipment necessary to review basic cable service. Cities have no
authority over expanded tiers of service, digital cable, premium
channels, DVR's or other advanced equipment. Moreover, cities also
have no authority to regulate any aspect of broadband service or digital
telephone service.
Because Congress and
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) have significantly limited
the authority of local government to regulate rates associated with the
provision of cable television service, operators are free to charge
whatever the market will bear and there are virtually no options
available for more aggressive regulation by cities to help address the
issue of rate increases.
While the City of
Richfield will continue to monitor basic cable television rates on
behalf of our residents, it is also important for residents to
communicate their concerns directly to Comcast at:
Comcast
Customer Service Dept.
10 River Park Plaza
St. Paul, MN 55107
Email: MN
CorporateComplaints@cable.comcast.com
Phone: 651-222-3333
