Bright House Networks of Michigan Files Complaint with FCC Regarding AT&T Misrepresentation to Area Customers
Customers bring attention to false Digital TV Transition claims
Livonia, Mich. - April 22, 2009
With Michigan's Digital TV Transition just two months away, television viewers are being bombarded with information about the transition and its expected impact in local communities, but not all of what they are hearing is helpful - or truthful.
For several months, Bright House Networks of Michigan cable customers have been receiving information from the company about the transition, which will have no impact on their current video services. So when AT&T sales agents began using false information and misleading tactics to recruit new customers, Bright House Networks of Michigan customers reported the activity.
As a result of these activities and AT&T's refusal to address and correct the issue, Bright House Networks of Michigan recently filed a complaint against AT&T with the FCC regarding AT&T's repeated misrepresentation to consumers concerning the Digital TV Transition.
"We've been very proactive about the upcoming Digital TV Transition, and our customers know that their channels and cable service will not be adversely affected by the change," stated Robert McCann, President of Bright House Networks of Michigan. "In our service areas of Livonia, Redford, Farmington, Farmington Hills and Novi, we continue to hear about false advertising from AT&T agents, and we're proud to say that our customers are rebuffing their misleading advances with clear, honest responses."
Bright House Networks customers assert that sales agents working on AT&T's behalf have used scare tactics based on the impending transition, falsely claiming that cable customers will be unable to receive local broadcast stations after the transition unless their homes undergo a costly rewire and/or receive special AT&T equipment, and "if you currently have cable…you will not be getting 100% of the channels you now enjoy". These statements are completely false and misleading, damaging a carefully orchestrated national transition to digital platforms that companies like Bright House Networks have taken great care to handle professionally and seamlessly for their customers.
"We want to ensure consumers are fully and truthfully informed, and we want to protect the communities we serve from more confusion and time-wasting deceptive business practices," continued McCann.
Bright House Networks customers who encounter deceptive advertising and false or misleading sales agents and materials are encouraged to report it directly to the local Bright House Networks management team by calling 734-422-3200 to try and help stop the spreading of false information surrounding the transition.
About Bright House Networks
Bright House Networks is the nation's 6th largest multiple cable system operator (MSO) with 2.4 million customers in several large markets including Tampa Bay, Florida; Orlando, Florida; Bakersfield, California; Indianapolis, Indiana; Detroit, Michigan; and Birmingham, Alabama; along with several other smaller systems in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. The high-growth Tampa/Orlando markets are contiguous and form one of the country's largest cable clusters. Bright House Networks' corporate locations are in Syracuse, New York and Orlando, Florida.