Malcolm Rivera
Cable television companies transmit audio and video signals to televisions in customers' homes. Cable TV companies use optical fiber or coaxial cables strung on utility poles to distribute TV signals. They may also use their own poles, underground cables, or transmission facilities. Cable companies often provide set-top boxes or slots for conditional access module cards to allow customers to view their channels. Cable channels are either analog or digital, with digital cable being the newer and more common standard. Cable companies may also offer additional services such as cable telephone and internet access. The operations of a cable TV company include managing infrastructure, providing customer service, and ensuring signal delivery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cable television standard | Analog and digital |
| Cable television distribution | Optical fiber or coaxial cable |
| Cable television companies | Cable operators or cable companies |
| Cable television channels | 500 or more |
| Cable television subscribers | 400,000 or fewer |
| Cable television system | Small system with 15,000 or fewer subscribers |
| Cable television signals | RF visual signal, system noise, coherent disturbances |
| Cable television technical performance | Technical performance standards adopted by the Commission |
| Cable television providers | Local franchising authorities |
| Cable television service | Basic service, cable programming service |
| Cable television programming | Non-broadcast channel or programming service |
| Cable television rates | Not regulated since 31 March 1999 |
| Cable television complaints | Handled by the Market Disputers Resolution Division |
| Cable television pole attachments | Regulated by the Commission |
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What You'll Learn
Signal transmission and distribution
Cable television signals can be transmitted through analog or digital cable. Analog television was the standard in the 20th century, but cable systems have since been upgraded to digital cable operations. Digital cable can carry data signals used by digital television receivers, such as high-definition television (HDTV) equipment, and offers improved resistance to interference and compression capabilities for a higher number of channels. Cable operators may offer digital cable television, high-speed internet, and digital telephone services.
To receive cable television, a cable is attached from the jack in the wall to the input of a set-top box, and an output cable from the box is connected to the television. Each television in a household typically requires a separate box, as the set-top box decodes only the channel being watched. Cable companies provide set-top boxes based on the level of service purchased, ranging from basic standard-definition boxes to high-definition wireless digital video recorder (DVR) receivers. Certain unencrypted channels, usually traditional over-the-air broadcast networks, can be displayed without a receiver box.
In addition to the standard coaxial connection, cable companies may also employ frequency division multiplexing, allowing multiple channels to be transmitted through a single coaxial cable. This technique enables cable providers to offer a vast number of channels (up to 500) to subscribers through their local distribution facility, known as the headend.
Cable companies may also offer internet access through DOCSIS, and some have introduced cable telephone services. These services involve installing a special telephone interface at the customer's premises to convert analog signals from the customer's wiring into digital signals transmitted over the local loop.
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Cable television standards
Cable television systems distribute TV signals either through optical fibre or through coaxial cable strung on existing poles owned by telephone or electric utility companies. Cable operators may also use their own poles, place their cable underground, or use transmission facilities or rights-of-way owned or controlled by a utility or municipality.
There are two standards for cable television: analog cable, and the newer digital cable, which can carry data signals used by digital television receivers such as HDTV equipment. All cable companies in the United States have switched to or are in the process of switching to digital cable television since it was first introduced in the late 1990s.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) first established rules for cable systems in 1965 for those that received signals by microwave antennas. In 1966, the Commission established rules for all cable systems. The FCC has adopted modulation and channelization standards for analog and some digital cable, allowing TV sets to be sold as "Cable Ready" or "Digital Cable Ready".
The Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers (SCTE) is an accredited American National Standards Institute (ANSI) organisation that sets standards for the cable industry. These standards are an integral part of OpenCable.
The Digital Video Transmission Standard for cable television describes the framing structure, channel coding, and channel modulation for a cable television realisation of a digital multiservice distribution system. The standard applies to signals that can be distributed via satellite directly to a cable system, as is the usual cable practice. The specification covers both 64-QAM and 256-QAM. The modulation, interleaving, and coding are tailored to the characteristics of cable system practice in North America.
Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standards are an international set of standards for broadcast and digital television transmission over terrestrial, cable and satellite networks. ATSC is largely a replacement for the analog NTSC standard and is used mostly in the United States, Mexico, Canada, South Korea, and Trinidad and Tobago. ATSC also supports PAL frame rates and resolutions.
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Customer service and support
Cable TV companies have a responsibility to provide comprehensive customer service and support to their subscribers. This includes offering assistance with technical issues, billing inquiries, and account management.
Technical support is a crucial aspect of customer service in the cable TV industry. Technicians are often dispatched to resolve issues with signal reception, equipment malfunction, or connectivity problems. They may also provide guidance on how to use cable boxes, DVRs, and other associated devices. Given the technical nature of the product, cable TV companies must ensure their customer service representatives are well-trained in troubleshooting techniques and can offer clear, concise solutions to customers.
Billing and account management are also key components of customer service. Cable TV companies typically offer multiple ways for customers to pay their bills, including online portals, automated phone systems, and in-person payment options. Representatives must be able to address billing inquiries, such as explaining charges, fees, and promotional rates, as well as processing payments and adjusting accounts.
Customer service departments also play a vital role in handling complaints and customer dissatisfaction. This may involve addressing issues with picture quality, channel lineups, or service interruptions. Representatives must be adept at de-escalating situations, offering solutions, and providing information about refunds, credits, or other forms of compensation when necessary.
Additionally, cable TV companies often provide support for customers looking to upgrade or downgrade their services, bundle packages, or add premium channels. Representatives guide customers through the various options, explain the benefits of different packages, and facilitate the ordering and installation of new services.
Overall, customer service and support in the cable TV industry encompass a wide range of functions, all geared towards ensuring subscribers have a positive experience and can easily resolve any issues that may arise.
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Cable licensing and regulation
Cable television systems are subject to licensing and regulatory requirements that vary by jurisdiction. In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has played a pivotal role in establishing rules and regulations for cable systems since 1965, with its authority affirmed by the Supreme Court in United States v. Southwestern Cable Co. in 1968.
The FCC's regulations cover a range of technical and operational aspects of cable television systems. For instance, the Commission has adopted modulation and channelization standards to ensure compatibility between generic retail televisions and cable systems, allowing TV sets to be marketed as "Cable Ready" or "Digital Cable Ready." The FCC also enforces technical performance standards to ensure subscribers receive satisfactory television signals, and cable operators are required to establish a complaint resolution process.
In terms of licensing, the FCC requires cable television operators to obtain a certificate of compliance before operating a cable television system or adding a television broadcast signal. The FCC also has the authority to impose monetary forfeitures on cable television systems found to be in violation of its rules, terms, or conditions, with fines of up to $25,000 per day and a maximum total fine of $250,000 for each notice of apparent liability or hearing.
At the local level, cable television systems are subject to franchising processes and regulations. Local franchising authorities, such as those mentioned in the Code of Virginia, play a role in regulating cable services within their jurisdictions. These authorities may have specific requirements and processes for cable operators to follow, including the adoption of ordinances and the payment of franchise fees.
Additionally, cable operators may need to navigate pole attachment issues, particularly when using utility poles owned by telephone or electric utility companies. The FCC is authorized to resolve disputes over pole attachment rates, terms, and conditions to ensure fairness for all parties involved.
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Cable system infrastructure
Cable television systems distribute TV signals either through optical fibre or through coaxial cable strung on existing poles owned by telephone or electric utility companies. Cable operators may also use their own poles, place their cables underground, or use transmission facilities or rights-of-way owned or controlled by a utility or municipality. In some cases, they may use a combination of these arrangements.
The cable company's portion of the wiring usually ends at a distribution box on the building's exterior. Built-in cable wiring in the walls then distributes the signal to jacks in different rooms, to which televisions are connected. Multiple cables to different rooms are split off the incoming cable with a small device called a splitter.
To receive the cable, a cable from the jack in the wall is attached to the input of the set-top box, and an output cable from the box is attached to the television, usually the RF-IN or composite input on older TVs. Each television in the house requires a separate box as the set-top box only decodes the single channel being watched. Some unencrypted channels, usually traditional over-the-air broadcast networks, can be displayed without a receiver box. The cable company will provide set-top boxes based on the level of service purchased by the customer.
In the most common system, multiple television channels (as many as 500, depending on the provider's capacity) are distributed to subscriber residences through a coaxial cable, which comes from a trunkline supported on utility poles originating at the cable company's local distribution facility, called the headend. Many channels can be transmitted through one coaxial cable by a technique called frequency division multiplexing.
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Frequently asked questions
A cable TV company is a television network available via cable television. Cable systems distribute TV signals either through optical fibre or through coaxial cable strung on existing poles owned by telephone or electric utility companies.
Cable TV companies transmit voice, data, text, sound, and video using wired telecommunications networks. They are responsible for providing access to transmission facilities and infrastructure that they own or lease. Cable operators may use their own poles, place their cable underground, or use transmission facilities owned or controlled by a utility company.
Basic cable service is the lowest level of cable service a subscriber can buy. It includes all over-the-air television broadcast signals and any public, educational, or government access channels required by the system's franchise agreement. Cable programming service includes all program channels on the cable system that are not included in basic service.
Cable companies typically provide a set-top box or a slot for conditional access module cards to view their cable channels. This equipment allows subscribers to access or control interference from cable services. To receive digital cable channels on an analog television set, a digital television adapter supplied by the cable company or purchased by the subscriber is required.
