[Discuss] Comcast goes all encrypted video in Cambridge

[Matthew Gillen]

On 09/25/2013 01:51 PM, Jerry Feldman wrote:
> When Comcast did this in Newton they provided 2 DTAs free of charge.
>
> I think there are a few motivations for this:
> 1. increase revenues
> 2. provide additional services to compete with FIOS, and the satellite
> TV networks.
> 3. (probably a bit less) to compete with the other cable companies like
> RCN, Time Warner, et. al.

I think the biggest motivation is to silence all the current people that 
might complain about breach of contract, or increased cost, etc.

Once the policy is place, you'll never have a mass of people complaining 
to politicians all at once, you'll only ever have a small number at a 
time (because the only time people will be outraged about it is when 
they first sign up).

So a one-time cost for them reduces the risk of effective backlash.

Matt