Oregon regulators encourage video consumers to choose Comcast over Frontier

If a $500 installation fee isn't enough to dissuade you from not signing up with Frontier's (NYSE: FTR) FiOS service, Washington County regulators are now advising would-be video customers to sign up with local cable operator Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA) instead.

The regulator's message comes as Frontier tries to wiggle its way out of providing video service over the infrastructure it inherited from Verizon (NYSE: VZ) when it purchased the telco's rural lines in 14 states last year.

Fred Christ, the commission's regulatory affairs manager said in a letter to the Washington state Metropolitan Area Communications Commission (MACC), that Frontier's "$500 installation fee is simply ridiculous and unjustified, particularly when weighed against free or typical $30 installations by Comcast and similar offers from satellite providers."

While Frontier's moves to jack up the installation and monthly service rates are clearly a sign that the telco does not want to be in the TV business, MACC said they will block any effort to terminate its video service.

In the meantime, Christ has encouraged consumers to consider purchasing a video service bundle from Comcast over other options like Frontier's free DirecTV offer because "it provides a locally franchised service in many ways superior compared to satellite providers."

For more:
- The Oregonian has this article

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