IMCC - MDU

Newsletter

PCOs and MDUs working together for the benefit of residents"

IMCC is a trade association comprised of Private Cable Operators (PCOs), multiple dwelling unit owners and the supporting industry.  Your thoughts and comments on this newsletter are invited.  You may contact us at (202) 364-0882 or Bill Burhop at bburhop@imcc-online.org  

March 2004

IMCC is having an education conference in Atlanta on April 14 and 15.  The major topics will be:

·      How do MDUs and PCOs get ready to deliver HDTV to residents? 

·      Is VOIP (voice over internet protocol) realistic and how and who can do it? 

·      With DirectTV being sold and DISH touting new interest in MDUs, which is better?  

·      Can HITS and VOOM really compete? 

·      With ISPs everywhere what should MDUs expect in dealing with viruses, new products by ISPs, etc.?

Details from bburhop@IMCC-online.org  Education on many of the issues addressed below will be offered.

Who can use the "homerun wiring", the coaxial cable running from the lock box/pedestal/junction box to each individual living unit?  The basic answer is whoever owns it.  Usually the franchised cable company, MSO, installed and owns that wiring.  If there is no contract, Right Entry or Service Contract, between the MSO and the MDU owner or if the contract is set to expire in the near future, then the MDU owner can follow the procedures in the FCC MDU Inside Wiring Rules to gain control of the that wiring and allow an alternative provider to use it.

Where does the homerun wiring begin and end?  It begins where the wiring becomes dedicated to an individual living unit.  It ends at the "demarcation point" which is 12 inches outside that unit.  If at that point the wiring is "physically inaccessible" the demarc point moves back to the lock box/pedestal.  It is judged to be inaccessible if the wiring is behind cinder block or concrete.  The FCC had added the words "sheetrock and drywall" to that definition, but a court just threw that out because franchised cable brought a law suit.  (another example of how MSOs try to frustrate competition)  Now the FCC will try again to expand the definition to include drywall and sheetrock. This is all quite important because if you want a video provider that is an alternative to the MSO they will want use of the homerun wiring.

The demarc point is important for both video and telephony purposes.  It seems to be the general view that MDU owners do not want the telephone Minimum Point of Entry on their properties.  It raises more hassles and costs than it is worth. Let the telephone company install it and own it.  However, for video purpose an increasing number of MDU owners want to install and own the wiring or if the contract with the current provider is set to expire the MDU owner wants to buy it in order to control it.  Other owners think this is too much of a hassle and would prefer if the provider installs, owns and maintains the wiring.

The FCC recently ruled, in response to an IMCC request, that MSOs can not tell MDU owners that the video wiring in buildings is still owned and controlled by the MSO even if there is not contract with the MDU .  MSOs argued that the MSO "intends" to use that wiring for other services in the future, such as high speed delivery or telephone.  You'd e surprised how often MSOs have tried to prevent an MDU owner from contracting with PCOs and alternative video providers using this "intention" argument.

In fact, we hear many examples of MSOs using wired arguments to intimidate MDUs with threats of legal action if they try to contract with alternative providers.  If you know of such examples please let us know so we can urge the FCC to prevent such practices.

Revenue sharing is still a common practice and averages between 6% and 10%.  Door fees seem to happen rarely these days.

·        Do you know the meaning of the following terms and how they apply to your MDU?

·        Analog or digital, how to provide both to your residents

·        Bulk contracts, how to do them and why

·        Unit-by-unit wiring procedures even in Mandatory Access states

·        Perpetual contracts, are your properties still controlled by them

·        OTARD central dish or MDU provided DBS rule

Your comments or suggestions for issues to address in this newsletter are invited.

Please remember, if you think you are getting mistreated by your franchised cable company or want to change to an alternative provider and think the incumbent provider is using unfair tactics to prevent that, let us know.  Perhaps something can be done about it.  At least explore your rights and know the rules.  It can mean cash flow for your company and more satisfied residents that means less churn, high occupancy rates and a better bottom line.  www.IMCC-online.org