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BRIEF: Why can't Charter Cable penetrate Time-Warner Cable's monopoly?Feb 27, 2013 (Star-News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Q. Why isn't the less expensive Charter Cable in Pender County allowed to penetrate Time-Warner's monopoly in New Hanover A. Charter does provide cable service in some areas of southern New Hanover County -- from Monkey Junction to Kure Beach. But residents have no choice for cable access. Either you belong to Time Warner or you belong to Charter. Legally, cable companies could compete for business, but that almost never happens. Cable companies were granted exclusivity when they first entered an area. That practice ended in 1992, but it was too late. It doesn't make economic sense for another company to invest in burying cable to try to compete with an established entity. A state law mandating state-issued franchise agreements to encourage video services competition was passed in 2006. The Secretary of State Web site advises anyone having a problem with cable service to contact the N.C. Attorney General's Office at www.ncdoj.gov/cable.aspx If you are not satisfied with your cable company and you want live television in your home, your options are limited to satellite providers. I found this link very helpful: http://gizmodo.com/5830956/why-the-government-wont-protect-you-from-getting-screwed-by-your-cable-company ___ (c)2013 the Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.) Visit the Star-News (Wilmington, N.C.) at www.starnewsonline.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |