Are You a Comcast Customer? Some Big Changes Are Coming

If you're a Comcast customer, you might need to make some changes to your Cable TV equipment soon.

This week Comcast is kicking off their digital network enhancement, starting in Springfield and Decatur, by expanding access to 12 new channels. What does that mean for customers?

If you get Comcast “basic cable”, which means you receive only cable channels 2-21, you do not need to do anything.

However, 90% of Comcast customers in Central Illinois do need to act.

First - some customers have recently received a new digital box on their main TV set. If you’ve already done that, you’re most likely halfway there. If not, you need to order one.

Next – do you have any other TV sets on which you receive cable channels? Well, if those sets receive cable by simply having the cable connect directly into the back of the set, they won’t work later this year. So you need to install one additional (smaller) cable box on each additional TV set on which you would like to receive cable.

Comcast say customers can expect to receive a letter this week, if you haven’t already. Be sure to keep that letter. It will explain what you need to do, and how to do it.

Rich Ruggiero, the Regional Vice President of Communication for Comcast, held a press conference on the subject Tuesday in Springfield. He says the overwhelming percentage of Comcast customers who have already completed the transition preferred to install the smaller boxes on their additional set by themselves.

The letter you will receive will explain how you can order these smaller boxes for those additional sets. You can order them over the phone using a toll free number, or you can order them online. You can have the boxes sent to you, or you can pick them up at the customer service center in your city.

If you choose to install these cable boxes for your additional TV sets yourself, the cable box kit comes with instructions. Ruggerio says the process is extremely simple. “However, for folks who would prefer we install that equipment professionally we an schedule a technician to visit your home. It's a one time charge of $16.49. That's the total charge for the visit. That's NOT per piece of equipment" Ruggiero added during Tuesday’s press conference.

Comcast will provide the main box for your main TV set, and two additional (smaller) boxes... for free. There will be no monthly charge for those. However boxes for additional TV will incur a small fee on your monthly bill.

Comcast plans to have all their customers converted by the end of the year. Target dates are to have Springfield and Decatur customers all switched over by the end of September, and the rest by December.

Ruggiero says once customers make the transition, they’re going to love all the extra benefits. Changing all their customers to digital from analog frees up a lot of space to expand on more services that have been requested by Comcast customers, like more high definition channels, additional “On Demand” movies and faster internet speeds

For more information about the digital network enhancement, or to receive your digital equipment, go online to www.comcast.com/digitalnow. Or call the company toll free at 1 (877) 634-4434. You can also stop by one of Comcast’s local service centers: in Decatur (1275 North Water St.); in Lincoln (1102 Keokuk St.); or in Springfield (701 South Dirksen Pkw
Are You a Comcast Customer? Some Big Changes Are Coming

Posted: Tuesday, March 9 2010, 11:04 PM CST