Greetings ...

Suppose there is this apartment complex which is already wired for cable-tv by the city's local cable company. Now the apartment management has decided that it wants to install a separate cable network strictly for OTA reception, for which they will supply their own antennas and distribution equipment. The existing cable network will remain in place.

?? 1 - Can the apartment complex install their own OTA network and still keep their association with the cable company?

?? 2 - In installing their own OTA network, is the apartment complex under the same set of restrictions as cable-tv in so far as reception of out-of-town network TV stations is concerned?

Thanx-A-Lot, Frank-0-Video

1) Unless the apartment complex has some kind of an agreement with the cable company to the contrary, they can do whatever they want.

2) Yes, everyone receiving OTA transmissions is required to get all out-of-town network TV. This is usually done by placing reception antenna throughout the US and using really good cable to bring the signal back to the viewer. No, of course not. OTA is OTA. You get what you get.

I take it your apartment complex is doing this an it is upsetting you because??

1) Unless the apartment complex has some kind of an agreement with the cable company to the contrary, they can do whatever they want.
Last year or so, the FCC nullified cable/satellite service exclusivity agreements, even to the point of saying that the cabling, if not owned by the management, now belongs to them.

1] Absolutely...

2] Absolutely not...

At least in Georgia,

(1) Yes

(2) No.

It may be possible for the city to make them pay a 'franchise fee" if their system competes with the city's cable - since it will be an internal network within the complex.

Greetings ...

Thank you one and all for the replies.

Actually, the apartment complex in question hasn't planned anything. But I was curious to find out what they could and could not do if they did indeed choose to install their own OTA signal distribution system.

Cweave02 - The OTA distribution would not compete with the cable, just co-exist along with it. Of course, one of the considerations in this scenario would be the fact the in going from antenna to cable and back again, you would have to re-scan channels with each source switch. Do we have any (if at all) TV's and video recorders with separate antenna and cable inputs?

There is also this - at this one particular apartment complex I know of, each individual resident can choose to not to have cable service and install their own satellite dish - with management's approval plus a permit fee (one-time, I presume).

Thanx-A-Lot, Frank-0-Video

There is also this - at this one particular apartment complex I know of, each individual resident can choose to not to have cable service and install their own satellite dish - with management's approval plus a permit fee (one-time, I presume).
It isn't just your apt. complex. Another recent FCC ruling stipulates that in all MDUs (Multi-Dwelling Units), bulk service contracts have been nullified. Yet another FCC ruling prohibits managment from requiring their approval and/or a premit fee, unless you would be installing it on/in a non-rented (common) area.

It isn't just your apt. complex. Another recent FCC ruling stipulates that in all MDUs (Multi-Dwelling Units), bulk service contracts have been nullified. Yet another FCC ruling prohibits managment from requiring their approval and/or a premit fee, unless you would be installing it on/in a non-rented (common) area.



link or it didn't happen!

ah... nevermind =]
i found the links but can't post it until I have 3 posts.... sorry

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=148789&site=cdn

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=148889&site=cdn