I canceled my video service with my local cable company. When the guy came out to install the trap, Instead of installing it on the pole he knocked on my door and told me he had installed it on the side of the house and not to remove it or the cable company will start charching me for video service.

Was he supposed to do this? Or did I just get a lazy cable installer who didn't want to climb a pole?

It doesn't matter where it was installed. He told you not to remove it. If you want to take that chance (or asking permission ;) ), that's up to you if you'd like to take the risk.

I am not asking if I should remove it or not, I know I can do that. I am aksing if it is common that they install these thing on the side of the house, Because it just seems strange that he would do that.

Perhaps not... but I guess my question is why does this concern you? If aesthetics is an issue, contact your cable provider and ask them to remove it and install on the pole.

I know of a few individuals in my area that have them installed "inside" the home.

He may not have been outfitted to access a junction on a pole. Your situation might have required a bucket truck to do it ideally.

I canceled my video service with my local cable company. When the guy came out to install the trap, Instead of installing it on the pole he knocked on my door and told me he had installed it on the side of the house and not to remove it or the cable company will start charching me for video service.

Was he supposed to do this? Or did I just get a lazy cable installer who didn't want to climb a pole?

I have a box from the cable co on the side of my house that has two compartments. One compartment is for cable co use only, where the drop enters, where the grounding block is, and where traps could be put in. This side of the box has a wire seal/lock on it.

The other compartment is for customer access and, in my case, there is nothing inside except the unbroken coax coming out of the cable co side and running into the house.

Not long ago, there were several people prosecuted for theft of cable services in the town where I live.

Heh, Don't know about that town, But this town doesn't have much to steal as far as cable tv goes, Lets just say I didn't cancel it monetary reasons! :D