Is there a secret basic basic $15 cable rate?

[Dennis S]

A few years ago, I read somewhere that there was a federally mandated rate of about $12 that cable companies had to give anyone who said they needed it because of low income. I can't find any evidence of it now, and the cable company I asked said there was not. But, the article said that's what the cable company would say unless you knew the secret code words to prove to them that you knew about it. Does anyone know about this?

[Ken Sp.]

Comcast has a $14.45 limited basic rate

[$tevie]

I don't know about any secret code words -- but I do have a friend who gets the very limited cable from Comcast for I believe it was $10 but is probably now $14.45 as quoted by Ken. I don't believe it had a thing to do with financial need, it's just whether or not you know about it. I toy with the idea of getting it off and on but I've been too lazy to try to force them to admit it exists.

[davester]

I have the comcast $14.45 rate. I'm pretty certain that this is law that had to do with allowing poor people access to a monopolized resource (i.e. cable exclusivity in the streets), but I'm not sure whether it's federal or California law.

[Ken Sp.]

There used to be some dialog using the word "tier". There was also some dialog about ordering specific channels A la carte

[davester]

I think that a la carte "dialog" was a dialog between consumers and a brick wall while the cable companies were across the street laughing at them (while wining and dining FCC regulators).

[RAMd®d]

I'm pretty certain that this is law that had to do with allowing poor people access to a monopolized resource

The hell, you say. Can "they" pay for it with food stamps?

[bazookaman]

I have something called "broadcast cable" with Time Warner. It costs around $10. Its only channels 3-15 or something like that. Although I do get the networks in HD too. But w/o cable service my Roadrunner bill goes up $10. So if i have to spend $10. I may as well get something for it.

[M A V I C]

Here it's limited basic cable. $12/mo. Price is set by the city.

[Dennis S]

I'm checking for a woman who is on a limited income and Allegiance Cable said they didn't have such a thing and their basic (cheapest) rate was $40. That's awful high compared to some of the rates y'all quoted. I guess I'll contact the FCC.