Some people in Carbon and Emery counties who receive cable television will see a major change on Jan. 11.
On that day Emery Telcom will discontinue cable-only service. People who want to receive cable television will be required to have a telephone.
On Dec. 11 all cable-only customers were sent a notice by Emery Telcom that on Jan. 11 the company will discontinue providing cable-only service. Customers who have cable-only service have until that time to notify Emery Telcom of their intention to cancel service or accept a telephone, and the associated costs. Customers who do not make their desires known to Emery Telcom will have a telephone installed, although customers may choose to cancel the service at any time. According to the Emery Telcom website, this could add $17.82 per month to a typical residential bill, plus 4.95-cents per minute for long distance. Additional costs, associated with taxes and regulatory fees, will be added as well.
Jared Anderson, assistant general manager for Emery Telcom, explains there are a lot of changes to federal regulations happening right now. Cable-only television is just one of them. These customers are people who will see a substantial increase in fees. Anderson explains bundling (discounts when services are combined, such as television, internet, and telephone) offsets most of the increases. Stand-alone television is the one area where that is not the case. A cable television customer will see an increase, although those customers will get a home phone.
Change in funding policy
According to the Anderson, this is all about changes in federal regulations. Due to the rural nature of Carbon and Emery counties, the federal government has in the past provided Emery Telcom, and telecommunication providers in other rural areas, with funding to help maintain the telecommunications network. This has made it possible to provide services at a lower cost than would otherwise have been possible. With the changes in federal policy Emery Telcom has decided it can no longer provide video without telephone service.
Emery-Telcom is the only cable television provider in both Carbon and Emery counties. The company acquired Precis Communications in 2009. At first cable customers were required to have a telephone. At some date after the acquisition the company started providing cable-only service.
` Anderson said he regrets the change, but federal changes makes it impossible for Emery Telcom to continue to provide cable television as a stand-alone service. He said the change only impacts a few customers, since most customers who have cable television also have internet service.
The letter states: “Emery continues to oppose regulatory changes that negatively impact customer choice and will bring back its stand-alone Video product when or if future regulatory changes permit.”
There are options for people who only have cable television.
Free broadcast TV
The quality of over-the-air reception has improved dramatically in recent years. People who remember reception several years ago will be pleasantly surprised. It all comes in digital format and is excellent quality, explains salespeople at Radio Shack. Salt Lake City channels are available over-the-air, along with numerous channels that are associated with local (Salt Lake City) channels, such as Antenna TV, MeTV, and CW30. In all, 29 channels can be received in this manner. Customers who choose to have only over-the-air service will lose some channels, including CNN, FOX NEWS, TNT, TBS, and others.
Outdoor antenna required
An outdoor antenna is required for over-the-air reception that can be purchased from Radio Shack or other retailers for about $25. If there are several television sets in the house it may be necessary to purchase an upgraded antenna, which costs about $40.
Recently continued over-the-air reception was in question, due to proposed changes by the Federal Communications Commission. But that issue has been resolved in favor of continued over-the-air reception, at least for now. Carbon County provides over-the-air television through translators. “Translator” is a name given to equipment that receives and re-transmits signals, sometimes on different channels and at about one-tenth the power of the original transmitter.
Shane Baggs, president and general manager of BEH Communications, warns people about indoor antennas that claim to work up to 100 miles. While they may work well in locations close to a transmitter, the low power of a translator isn’t adequate for an indoor antenna to work well in this area.
Equipment requirements and a complete list of available over-the-air channels can be obtained at the Carbon County Communication Department. That information can also be accessed on the Carbon County website. A county approved antenna can be purchased at Radio Shack. People may do their own installation or pay someone to do it. BEH Communication provides this service.
Satellite television is also an option. Both Dish and Direct TV provide service in this area and can be arranged through BEH. Although some satellite providers also offer internet, that service is still in its infancy and can be unreliable, at best, according to Baggs. Satellite subscribers pay between $40 and $100 for service. Satellite systems provide all the channels that are available on cable.
The internet may be the way everyone receives television at some point in the future. Today many people get television programming, such as Netflix, Hulu, and other online services, through their television using an internet feed. The issue with internet, explains Baggs, is usage and how cost to consumers is calculated. A high-speed connection is required, along with a television or apparatus that is capable of connecting to the internet. New “smart tvs” are already set up to received wireless internet.
A device is required if the TV isn’t “smart,” which only means it’s internet ready. A device may also be required depending on which service is desired. Netflix, Apple TV, YouTube and Amazon Fire are just a few of the options available. Emery Telcom and BEH provide high-speed internet.
Some cable TV customers will see major change
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