Thank you for choosing Broadstripe as your broadband
services provider. Broadstripe works to develop services that are simple
to use and fun to explore! This information is provided to enable you to
be more knowledgeable about your service and to answer any questions you
may have. The following are a few suggestions to help meet this goal.
Installation
Someone over 18 years of age must be home during the installation of any
of our services. Anyone under 18 must provide your written consent on your
behalf to the service person. In addition, that person will also need to
be able to answer any questions regarding preferences for installation
of the cable.
We have installed cable in your home in a manner that is consistent
with Federal Communication Commission (FCC) rules. Here are a few tips
to keep it operating safely and reliably:
- During a severe electrical storm you should unplug your TV set
and cable converter to avoid damage. Broadstripe and your television
set manufacturer
are not responsible for damage that occurs due to acts of nature.
- Your cable converter operates at 110 volts, so please take all
the precautions which you would for any small appliance – such
as, checking to make sure the cord is not worn or damaged.
- For your own safety, please do not attempt to open or tamper with
your cable converter.
- If you have someone other than us install the inside wiring in
your home, or if you do it yourself, ensure that it complies with applicable
government regulations (like FCC signal leakage rules) and does not
interfere
with the normal operations of the cable system and other communications
systems (like police or fire radio signals).
Billing
We provide service to you on a month-to-month basis.
The charges for one month’s service, any deposits, and any installation
and/or equipment lease fees, are generally payable when service is installed.
After that,
we will bill you each month in advance for service (except pay-per-view
movies and events). Your cable bill not only gives you a listing of your
charges, payments and credits, but it may also contain special messages.
Please take time to review your bill to make sure your name, address and
telephone number are correct. You will generally be billed at the same
time each month unless you are disconnected and later reconnect service.
The bill you receive will show the total amount due and the payment due
date. You agree to pay us monthly, in full, by the payment due date. If
we do not receive your payment by the due date stated on the bill, you
may be charged additional administrative late charges. You agree to pay
all taxes, franchise fees, and other charges, if any, which are now or
may in the future be assessed because you receive our service. If there
are any billing errors or other requests for credit, you must bring those
to our attention within six (6) months of the time you receive the bill
for which you are seeking correction. If your service is disconnected because
you did not pay your bill by the due date, we may require you to pay all
past-due charges, a collection fee, an installation fee, and a minimum
of one month’s advance charges before we reconnect your service.
Subject to applicable law, if you fail to pay your bill when it is due
or fail to comply with any term contained in this document, we have the
right to terminate your cable service or any other service included within
your bill.
You may not transfer or assign the service without our prior written
consent. You have the right to cancel your service for any reason at
any time by giving us notice, unless you have contractually agreed to
other terms. We will refund any balance due to you in approximately 30
days of your notice to discontinue service or the return of any Broadstripe
equipment you may have.
Moving
BEFORE YOU MOVE, please call Broadstripe immediately. This
is the best way for us to disconnect your service, recover our converter
and arrange for cable television service in your new home. Call us in advance,
and we will schedule a new installation provided that your new home is
in our service area.
Converters, remote-control devices and any other equipment provided
by us should be returned to us immediately, should you decide to disconnect
your cable television service. You are liable for these items, and will
continue to be billed until the equipment is returned. Or, if you have
lost it, or are otherwise unable to return it, you must pay us for it.
Emergencies
Emergencies such as fallen power poles, violent storms
or sub-freezing weather may interfere with reception of cable service.
We will promptly have one of our crews correct an emergency situation.
Theft of Service
According to the Federal Cable Act, no person shall
receive communications service offered over a cable system unless authorized
to do so. Persons found violating this law are subject to a possible fine
of $100,000, or imprisonment of not more than five (5) years, or both.
These penalties apply to both the supplier and receiver of such unauthorized
or illegal service. Such person(s) may also be subject to a civil suit
for statutory or actual damages. In addition to the Federal law, many states
have also enacted legislation concerning theft of cable services.
Your Right to Privacy
The Cable Communications Act of 1984, as amended by the Cable Consumer
Protection Act of 1992, outlines your right to personal privacy as a cable
customer. All personally identifiable cable-related information pertaining
to your account is on file at the local cable office and is available for
your review. If you wish to review these files, please contact us to make
an appointment during normal business hours. This file includes the following:
your name, address, phone number, payment history, service options you
have ordered, maintenance and repair records, and the number of serviced
television sets. This information is used for billing, service, marketing,
research and other cable-related purposes. The company may use it during
the time you receive cable service and for a period of time at the conclusion
of active service. The company will delete personally identifiable information
when it is no longer necessary for conducting cable-related business.
Broadstripe will not release any such personal information
except to those individuals or businesses to which we are legally permitted
to do so. We will not release any information pertaining to you to any
government agency unless it is under the compliance of a summons, subpeona
or court order. In such cases, unless prohibited by the order, we will
attempt to notify you in order to give you a chance to contest the order
as law permits you. Broadstripe respects the rights of our
customers. Keeping you informed is an important part of our continuing
effort to provide you with better quality broadband services.
Complaint Resolution Procedures
Broadstripe places a
high priority on ensuring that our customers are satisfied with the service
we provide. Toward this goal, and in order
to comply with FCC law, Broadstripe has designed the following procedures
to respond to any dissatisfaction you may have regarding cable service.
Please follow these procedures to help us address your concerns as promptly
and as efficiently as possible.
If you have a complaint regarding any aspect of your cable services,
we encourage you to call your local Customer Service Department. If you
are not satisfied with the manner in which your concern has been addressed
after speaking with the Customer Service Department, please submit your
complaint in writing to the General Manager at your local Broadstripe
Digital Media office listed.
At this point, you may also contact your local franchising authority.
The address appears, in most cases, on your monthly cable bill. If the
franchise contact information is not listed on your statement, please
call your local Broadstripe office. The representatives
will be able to provide you with the contact information. Again, we encourage
you to contact us if you are dissatisfied with any aspect of your cable
service. Broadstripe looks forward to serving you with excellence.
Equipment & Equipment Compatibility
Except for the inside wiring, which we consider your
property regardless of who installed it, the equipment installed by Broadstripe
Digital Media belongs to us unless you have purchased it. We may, at
our option, supply new or reconditioned equipment to you.
You are responsible for preventing the loss of, or damage to, the equipment
at your residence. We suggest that your homeowners, renters, or other
insurance cover the equipment in your possession. You will be directly
responsible for repair, replacement and other costs, damages, fees and
charges if you do not return equipment to us in an undamaged condition.
You authorize us or our designees to enter into your home, in your or
your representative’s presence, or upon your property during normal
business hours or by appointment, to install, inspect, maintain, replace,
remove or otherwise deal with the service and equipment supplied by us.
This authorization includes allowing us or such designee to be on your
property outside your home at reasonable times even if you are not at
home. You authorize us or our designee to make connections and perform
other tasks which are necessary or desirable to enable us to provide
service to you or others, including connecting and making necessary attachments
to your inside wiring. If you are not the owner of your home, you agree
to supply us or our designee, if we ask you to, with the owner’s
name and address, proof that you may give us access on the owner’s
behalf and, if needed, consent from the owner of the home.
Cable Ready" and Cable "Compatible"
Equipment
One of the reasons you may subscribe to our cable system is we offer
many more channels of programming in addition to what you may be able
to receive off-the-air.You may have TV receivers or VCRs that can tune
to all non-scrambled channels we provide. Or you may have older sets
that are unable to tune in all channels available over the cable system.
Even if you have an older TV or VCR that was advertised as being “cable
ready” or “cable compatible,” the equipment may not
perform as you expected when connected directly to cable. This is because
there previously were no standards applicable to TV set manufacturers
governing the reception of cable channels. According to new federal
regulations, TVs and VCRs sold in the United States as of July 1997
cannot be called “cable ready” or “cable compatible” unless
they comply with new technical requirements adopted by the FCC, including
the ability to properly tune cable channels.
You may encounter additional problems or interference when your TV
set or VCR is connected directly to cable. For example, you may encounter
co-channel interference or an inability to receive higher number channels.
These problems are often solved through the use of a set-top converter.
Converters are available through Broadstripe for a monthly
fee. The set-top converter will “convert” the cable channels
to a designated channel on your TV. Please understand that the process
of converting all of our channels to such a channel means that you
can only receive one channel on your TV set at a time through the converter.
This means there may be certain features of your TV or VCR that depend
on channel tuning of these devices that you will not be able to use.
For example, taping one program while watching another, recording two
or more consecutive programs appearing on different channels, and the
use of picture-in-picture may not be possible without additional equipment.
Availability of Special By-Pass Equipment
Some of the channels offered on the cable system may also be scrambled
or transmitted digitally and may be viewed only if a digital cable
terminal (DCT) is used. However, as described above, a converter may
limit your ability to use certain advanced features on your TV set
or VCR. If you use a converter, and you have problems using the special
features, additional special equipment may be necessary to regain some
or all of these features. Broadstripe will consult with
you in order to determine what specific equipment may be available
to solve your particular situation. This equipment may include an additional
converter, or, if you have a receiver that can tune our cable channels,
possibly a switch that will enable you to by-pass the converter and
tune all unscrambled channels with your TV or VCR.
Please contact us regarding your needs, and we will be happy to discuss
alternatives with you and give you a schedule of charges. In addition,
you may purchase by-pass switches at retail outlets. Please remember,
however, that converters with descrambling capabilities should only
be obtained from us. In fact, should you see advertisements for cable
converters that have descramblers in them (so-called “pirate
boxes” or “black boxes”), you should understand that
these devices may be illegal to sell or use, unless authorized by us.
Because of the need to protect our scrambled services, at this time
we will not authorize the use of any converters, pay-per-view, and
other descramblers not provided by us.
About your Converter
Many television sets cannot receive the large number of channels
offered by cable television. In order to receive these channels, as
well as to descramble certain optional premium or pay-per-view services,
you may require an electronic channel selection device called a “converter” or “digital
cable terminal” (DCT). A converter and a remote control are available
from us on a lease basis or may be purchased at certain retail outlets
including consumer appliance or electronics stores.
One type of converter is simply a tuner; it converts the cable channel
selected by the customer to a low-numbered channel, typically 2, 3
or 4. Tune your television set to the “output” channel
of the converter (for example: Ch. 3). Programs may then be selected
by tuning the converter to the desired channel. Many cable-ready sets
may not require a converter to receive the non-scrambled channels.
Watching your television after connection to cable is easy. Just turn
on your television set and the converter (if your converter model has
an on/off switch). Make sure that your television is tuned to the output
channel of your converter (Ch. 2, 3 or 4), and then select the channel
you want to watch by using the controls on either the converter or
the hand-held remote control device. To ensure reliable operation,
make sure the converter is plugged into a “live” electrical
outlet, not one that is controlled by a light switch. Loss of power
to some converters may result in a temporary loss of cable service,
even after the power is restored.
Remote Controls
If you use a converter with remote control capability, we provide
remote control devices for a monthly charge. It is also possible that
the remote control that came with your TV or VCR is capable of controlling
the converter box as well. In that case, please feel free to use it.
Finally, if you choose, you may also buy a “universal” remote
control device at a retail outlet, including many appliance or consumer
electronics stores, that is capable of working with our converters.
Digital Cable Service
The installation and other instructions relating to digital
cable terminal or DCT differ from those set forth above because of
the uniqueness of digital and other service functions that may be received
through it. Contact us for further details.
High Speed Data Service
On occasion it is necessary for Broadstripe to perform maintenance
and/or software upgrades in an effort to improve and enhance the service
on our high speed Internet network. This maintenance is typically performed
during nonpeak usage periods, typically overnight (midnight to 5 am).
Broadstripe will strive to minimize the length of interruption, if any,
associated with such maintenance or upgrade.
Troubleshooting Tips
From time to time, you may experience a problem with your television
picture that can easily be fixed. Trying to fix it yourself will save
you time and may even save you money on television repair. PLEASE refer
to this list BEFORE you call Broadstripe’s customer service department.
IMPORTANT: If you have a converter, digital converter or DCT, is your
TV dial set on channel 3?
Rolling Picture
•
Adjust “vertical hold” on your TV set.
Picture Leans to Side
•
Try adjusting “horizontal hold” on TV set.
Wrong Channel
• Check TV dial and converter for channel setting.
Snow on Screen
• Check to make sure converter is plugged into a working outlet.
No Picture, No Sound
•
Make sure TV set is plugged into “live” electrical outlet,
and not controlled by a wall switch.
• Push reset button on back of TV set, if TV set has one.
• Adjust brightness control on TV set.
No Picture
• Check channel setting on converter and TV set.
• Check listing to make sure channel is broadcasting during this time
slot.
• Wait for TV station announcement of difficulty.
• Check other channels to compare reception.
Cable and Your VCR
If you are a VCR owner, you can
use your VCR to receive additional enjoyment from your cable television
service.
Broadstripe wants to help you understand how to make
your VCR and cable television service compatible entertainment components.
With your cable and VCR combination, you can now record your favorite
movies and cable programs for later viewing.We want you to have maximum
flexibility in watching what you want, when you want to watch it.
VCR-Cable Hookup Warnings
- Additional Equipment - such as cable jumpers, signal splitters
or A/B switches - may cause picture distortion if it does not meet
our system’s standards. Please call our technicians in our
repair department before you purchase additional hookup equipment.
- We recommend against cutting cable jumpers. An improperly cut cable
may cause picture distortion.
- All cable connections must be fitted “wrench
tight.”
Overview of Services Offered
Broadcast Basic Service
Basic Service may
include off-air broadcast stations and franchise-required public,
educational and government access channels. All such programming
varies on a community-by-community basis and is subject to change at
any time. Currently, our cable customers must subscribe to Basic Service
in order to subscribe to any tiers of video service offered by the
cable company. This service may not be available in all communities
and is subject to certain terms and conditions.
Satellite Service Tier
The Satellite Service Tier is the level of service that generally
carries all non-premium analog cable channels such as ESPN, CNN, Lifetime,
USA, TNT, etc. The Satellite Service Tier cannot be purchased without
a subscription to the Broadcast Basic Service (if a broadcast basic
service is available).
Enhanced Basic Service
Enhanced Basic Service combines the services of the Broadcast
Basic Service and the Satellite Service Tier. This is an optional level
of service above and beyond Basic Service. A customer must receive
Basic Service in order to be eligible to receive Enhanced Basic.
Premium
Services
Premium Services are generally available to customers who receive
Enhanced Basic Service. Premium channels can include Home Box Office
(HBO), Showtime, Cinemax, The Movie Channel, STARZ! and Encore. Some
premium services require a digital cable box or DCT to receive them.
There is a separate monthly charge for each primary premium channel
a customer receives.
Digital Cable Service
Many of our customers have chosen our newest optional level of service,
Broadstripe DigitalPix. It is provided in addition to the analog transmission
of services our customers may already receive. Broadstripe DigitalPix
provides a digital transmission of special interest and other channels,
digital music channels, access to multiple pay-per-view channels and
multiplexed channels of premium services, among other features. Digital
services may not be available in all areas.
Other Optional Services
In addition to these programming services, we may also offer
our customers, for an additional monthly charge, the rental of converters
or remotes, a cable guide, pay-per-view programming or other services.We
may also offer Broadstripe CableSpeed, a high-speed connection to the
Internet, for your personal computer. CableSpeed offers speed, convenience
and content-enhanced access to the Internet including full motion video,
national, regional and local content, e-mail, personalized browsers
and other exciting features. Such service may not be available in all
areas and is subject to certain terms and conditions.
A Note About Programming
We receive programming from various
non-cable and cable networks. We are not responsible for the content
of programs aired by these networks.
Programming complaints or questions should be directed to the cable or
broadcast networks.