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CWA Cites Comcast for Repeated Violation of FCC Rule
Washington, D.C. -- The Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers have called on the Federal Communications Commission to take immediate action against Comcast Communications for its blatant and continuing violation of the FCC's rules on maintaining public records that are complete and accessible.
In a complaint filed today with the FCC, CWA noted that federal rules require every cable system operator to maintain a public file available for inspection. Last month, visits by union members and cable customers to 225 separate Comcast cable television franchise locations in 31 states and the District of Columbia found 132 systems, or 59 percent, in violation of the FCC's public file rules. A total of 116 franchises did not have a file or refused to make the information available; another 16 systems had incomplete information.
"It's ironic that Comcast won't follow government regulations about public records, but is all too eager to disseminate customers' personal and financial information," CWA pointed out. CWA has been alerting the public to Comcast's refusal to address privacy concerns of many jurisdictions regarding the cable company's use of customers' personal information.
The FCC's public file rules require the operator of any cable system with more than 1,000 subscribers to maintain specific documents – including all requests for broadcast time over the past two years by or on behalf of a candidate and other information -- and to make this file available during regular business hours. The file must be maintained at the franchise's business office – where charges are collected and complaints resolved – or at an accessible location in the community served.
Two years ago, CWA members surveyed cable operators of Comcast's predecessor company, AT&T Broadband, and uncovered consistent violation of the public files rules. In response to CWA's complaint, AT&T Broadband assured the FCC that it would make certain that the regulation was followed.
Two years later, Comcast has ignored the commitment by AT&T Broadband and is in serious violation of this regulation, CWA told the FCC, urging that Comcast receive the maximum allowable fine for violation of the rules.
The FCC has emphasized the importance of public disclosure and has indicated it regards the violation of these rules as a serious matter, CWA pointed out. Since "voluntary efforts to ensure compliance have proved a failure, the Commission must take immediate and forceful action against Comcast," the union said.
In a complaint filed today with the FCC, CWA noted that federal rules require every cable system operator to maintain a public file available for inspection. Last month, visits by union members and cable customers to 225 separate Comcast cable television franchise locations in 31 states and the District of Columbia found 132 systems, or 59 percent, in violation of the FCC's public file rules. A total of 116 franchises did not have a file or refused to make the information available; another 16 systems had incomplete information.
"It's ironic that Comcast won't follow government regulations about public records, but is all too eager to disseminate customers' personal and financial information," CWA pointed out. CWA has been alerting the public to Comcast's refusal to address privacy concerns of many jurisdictions regarding the cable company's use of customers' personal information.
The FCC's public file rules require the operator of any cable system with more than 1,000 subscribers to maintain specific documents – including all requests for broadcast time over the past two years by or on behalf of a candidate and other information -- and to make this file available during regular business hours. The file must be maintained at the franchise's business office – where charges are collected and complaints resolved – or at an accessible location in the community served.
Two years ago, CWA members surveyed cable operators of Comcast's predecessor company, AT&T Broadband, and uncovered consistent violation of the public files rules. In response to CWA's complaint, AT&T Broadband assured the FCC that it would make certain that the regulation was followed.
Two years later, Comcast has ignored the commitment by AT&T Broadband and is in serious violation of this regulation, CWA told the FCC, urging that Comcast receive the maximum allowable fine for violation of the rules.
The FCC has emphasized the importance of public disclosure and has indicated it regards the violation of these rules as a serious matter, CWA pointed out. Since "voluntary efforts to ensure compliance have proved a failure, the Commission must take immediate and forceful action against Comcast," the union said.