FCC CableCARD Self-Install Rules Are In Effect

FCC Logo So, the new FCC rules for CableCARD, tuning adapters, et al., took effect on Monday. So, where do the cable MSOs fall?

  • Comcast: Checking their website it doesn’t look like anything has changed since last week. There are still FAQs saying that you need a professional install, but CED Magazine is reporting that they’re allowing self-installs now:

    “Certain markets have had limited self-install options for CableCards since about 2007,” said Comcast spokeswoman Jenni Moyer. “Beginning in early August, we’ll start rolling out a CableCard self-install program across our footprint where customers will be able to go into our sales, service or payment centers and pick up a CableCard self-install kit, go home, install it, and then call in to activate it.”

    Comcast doesn’t ship the CableCard self-install kits to customers.

  • Time Warner Cable: As expected, TWC has started allowing CableCARD self-installs. They’ve even created help guides for InfiniTV, Moxi, and TiVo.
  • Cox Communications: They were already allowing CableCARD self-installs before the mandate. They have an instruction sheet online.
  • Charter Communications: Their website gives mixed signals. The FAQ still says professional installation, but they have a self-install page. I think they just missed updating the page:

    Due to the technical complexity associated with the pairing of the devices, all installations of a CableCARD MUST be completed by a Charter Technician. Self-installation of CableCARDs is NOT an option for customers and thus customers cannot pick up a CableCARD from a local office

  • Verizon FiOS: As with Cox, they were already offering CableCARD self-installs. You can order your CableCARD online.
  • Cablevision: They’ve also been offering CableCARD self-installs. The information is on their site.
  • Bright House Networks: They allow self-installs for Road Runner broadband, which means they should be allowing CableCARD self-installs as of August 8th. But I can’t find info on self-installs on their site, and there is a page that still says they’ll be allowed soon:

    CableCARDs are professionally installed by Bright House Networks. The option to install a CableCARD yourself will be available in the near future.

    If anyone knows of information on their site indicating CableCARD self-installs, leave a comment.

  • Suddenlink Communications: According to their CableCARD FAQ they are allowing self-installs.
  • Mediacom Communications: I couldn’t find a good reference on their website, but a post on their support forum by one of their reps on Saturday indicates they are allowing users to pick up CableCARDs and do self-installs:

    You can pick-up or have a tech install a cable card for you for a minor fee. This would be $1.99 per month for each card.

  • Insight Communications: I couldn’t find anything useful on their site. Searching their site for ‘CableCARD’ only returns four hits. It looks like they offer broadband self-installs, so they should be covered by the August 8th mandate. If you have more info, let us know in a comment.
  • CableOne: Same as Insight, nothing clear from their site. It seems like they offer broadband and cable box self-installs, so they should also be covered under the August 8th mandate. Leave a comment if you have any info, thanks.
  • WideOpenWest Networks: Their website still says they require a technician to install CableCARD, it is under the ‘Equipment’ section of the FAQ.

    Can I install a CableCARD by myself?

    No. To ensure that your installation is performed properly, a technician is required to install and activate your CableCARD. Please contact us to set up an installation appointment.

    They do seem to allow cable modem self-installs, so they should be under the mandate.

  • RCN: I couldn’t find a good page on their site, but I did find a forum post on DSLReports dated July 28th, by Jason Nealis, RCN’s Sr. Director, Video Product and Video Operations:

    The way this will work is that a customer can receive a kit via mail or they can pick one up at a local office.

    In the Kit it will have instructions on whom to call, basically you will install the card and then go thru a IVR and have the work order closed and a hit sent to the card.

    Then you will have to call in with your pairing information and have the card paired to receive encrypted channels.

OK, I think that’s deep enough. These smaller provider’s tend to have sites that aren’t as useful when it comes to finding info, and those I’ve listed already cover the vast majority of cable customers in the US.

If you have any additional info, please leave a comment.

EDIT 8/11: Matthew Zinn, Senior Vice President of General Counsel for TiVo, today made a blog post about the new CableCARD rules which included a few useful links:

In the meantime, for additional information regarding CableCARDs and consumers’ rights visit www.fcc.gov/guides/cablecard-know-your-rights or www.fcc.gov/guides/digital-cable-compatibility-cablecards-plug-and-play.

If you have questions as to whether your cable operator is complying with the CableCARD rules, you can email the FCC at CableCARDEnf@fcc.gov or call (202) 418-1160. To file a complaint, visit www.fcc.gov/complaints.

If your cable provider isn’t following the new rules, report them to the FCC.

About MegaZone

MegaZone is the Editor of Gizmo Lovers and the chief contributor. He's been online since 1989 and active in several generations of 'social media' - mailing lists, USENet groups, web forums, and since 2003, blogging.    MegaZone has a presence on several social platforms: Google+ / Facebook / Twitter / LinkedIn / LiveJournal / Web.    You can also follow Gizmo Lovers on other sites: Blog / Google+ / Facebook / Twitter.
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  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=147101233 Johnny Patton

    I have Insight and tried to pick up a CableCARD at their Lexington, KY office yesterday (8/9/10). I was told they don’t keep any on hand and that a truck roll would be required because they don’t allow self installs.  After I showed them a printout I had of the FCC ruling they decided to waive the $25 installation fee. 

    Insight allows modem and mini-box self installs.

    • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

      Thanks for the info.

  • Fanfoot

    There’s some recent info in this thread:

    http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=8651449&posted=1#post8651449

    Looks like a couple of success stories (one after some corrections) for Comcast and yet another misinformed Time Warner example that should be reported to the FCC. 

    Seems to me that Time Warner is flaunting the order…

    • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

      Thanks for the link.  Yeah, pretty much as I expected – corporate is saying one thing, but not all of the local offices have read the memo.  Anyone who runs into problems should:
      a) Show them the FCC mandate.
      b) If that doesn’t help, report the local office to corporate.
      c) If that doesn’t help, or you’re just feeling eager, report them to the FCC.

      I believe TiVo also has support to help as well, and they’ll contact the local cable office to help get them to provide the user with a card.

  • http://twitter.com/TechWzrd Tech Wizard

    Per http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r26220937-Cable-Cards-Tuning-Adapters-available-at-lobby-locations-~days=365 Bright House Networks is now supporting self-installs of CableCARDs and TA’s in Tampa and Central Florida. I’m waiting for my Premiere Elite to test out the new system. Hopefully I won’t be waiting too long!

  • http://twitter.com/TechWzrd Tech Wizard

    Per http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r26220937-Cable-Cards-Tuning-Adapters-available-at-lobby-locations-~days=365 Bright House Networks is now supporting self-installs of CableCARDs and TA’s in Tampa and Central Florida. I’m waiting for my Premiere Elite to test out the new system. Hopefully I won’t be waiting too long!

  • Pingback: Deal of the Day: Refurb TiVo Premiere @ $50 - Zatz Not Funny!

  • Smhayden

    I am an Insight customer in Bowling Green, KY and just purchased my TiVo premieres this past weekend. They are still requiring a cable company installer come to install and activate the CableCards….supposed to be here tomorrow to get me set up.

  • Smhayden

    I am an Insight customer in Bowling Green, KY and just purchased my TiVo premieres this past weekend. They are still requiring a cable company installer come to install and activate the CableCards….supposed to be here tomorrow to get me set up.

    • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

      If they allow any other self-installs, like a cable modem, they should be allowing CableCARD self-installs too.  See the info at the bottom of the post for contacting the FCC.  I’d recommend filing a complaint if your provider isn’t in compliance.  At least mention the ruling to them and ask why they aren’t following it, maybe they’ll do the install for free or something.

  • Pingback: The Golden Age of CableCARD Has Arrived - Zatz Not Funny!

  • Rick Strobel

    Insight Communications doesn’t have their act together on this.  Called to order a CableCARD for my customer’s new HDHomeRun Prime.  At first was told that they had to come out.  I indicated that I thought they had to let me pick one up.  They said they had to come install it so we scheduled it.

    Then they called back after we got off the phone.  Said that you are in fact able to pick them up and install yourself now.  I was told I could pick them up at my local office.

    I ran over there, waited in line.  “Sorry, we don’t have those here… Don’t know who told you that but we’ve never had any, never will”  Then another agent looked on her computer and said you could do it after November 1st.

    Arrggghhh.

    • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

      Thanks for the info.  November 1, 2011 is the deadline for all MSOs, including those who do not allow other self-installs.  August 8th was the deadline for MSOs who allow any kind of self-install.  If they allow any self-installs – STBs, cable modems, etc. – then they’re in violation and I’d recommend filing a complaint with the FCC.

    • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

      Thanks for the info.  November 1, 2011 is the deadline for all MSOs, including those who do not allow other self-installs.  August 8th was the deadline for MSOs who allow any kind of self-install.  If they allow any self-installs – STBs, cable modems, etc. – then they’re in violation and I’d recommend filing a complaint with the FCC.

      • Rick Strobel

        Called today and talked to a supervisor about the situation.  She said they’re working toward the November 1st release, putting together self-install kits with documentation and training their retail centers.  I pressed harder.  Was told that she’d see what she could do for me and get back to me within a week.

        I believe they do allow for self-installs.  Saw at least one customer leaving the retail office with two STBs in her hand.  I installed a STB for someone a while back.

        The information I saw on fcc.gov didn’t specify the difference between the August 8th requirement vs the November 1st deadline.  Can you link me to their actual language?

        I need to put a CableCARD in a TiVo soon and figured I’d get one for myself at the same time. (The one I started out trying to get is for a client)

        • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

          Rick, see one of my previous posts where I highlighted the language: http://giz.lv/pFvYbe

        • http://www.facebook.com/rickscomputerservices Rick Strobel

          It’s been more than a week and have not heard from anyone.  What a shocker!

          I called the direct number for the supervisor I spoke with last week and left a message.  At least I now have her last name (from her voicemail greeting). 

          I tried calling the FCC with the (202) 418-1160 number posted above.  That went to a woman (who was very nice), but she worked in Spectrum Enforcement.  She tried to figure out where to transfer me but couldn’t.  I also tried the main toll free number for the FCC and gave up when I landed in a message about digital converters no longer being available.

          I just want a CableCARD to install!

          Would filing a complaint with the FCC really do any good?

          • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

            I would file a complaint.  The more consumers who file legitimate complaints, the more likely the FCC is to take action.

          • http://www.gizmolovers.com/ MegaZone

            I would file a complaint.  The more consumers who file legitimate complaints, the more likely the FCC is to take action.

      • Rick Strobel

        Called today and talked to a supervisor about the situation.  She said they’re working toward the November 1st release, putting together self-install kits with documentation and training their retail centers.  I pressed harder.  Was told that she’d see what she could do for me and get back to me within a week.

        I believe they do allow for self-installs.  Saw at least one customer leaving the retail office with two STBs in her hand.  I installed a STB for someone a while back.

        The information I saw on fcc.gov didn’t specify the difference between the August 8th requirement vs the November 1st deadline.  Can you link me to their actual language?

        I need to put a CableCARD in a TiVo soon and figured I’d get one for myself at the same time. (The one I started out trying to get is for a client)

  • robyn

    bright house cablecard self-installation now asks you to call to set-up

    http://support.brighthouse.com/Article/What-Is-A-CableCARD-989/

  • robyn

    bright house cablecard self-installation now asks you to call to set-up

    http://support.brighthouse.com/Article/What-Is-A-CableCARD-989/