Comcast is slowly converting markets into 100% digital, which happens to free up bandwidth for a lot high-def stations. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some HDTV, but how they are doing it will infuriate millions - including myself - with digital set-top boxes on every TV and dramatic price increases. The transition shows the weakness of the companies coax network that relies on copper to deliver the signal to neighborhoods and fiber-optic for the backbone only. Once this conversion hits, cable will lose any appeal over satellite or fiber options.

When Comcast converts an analog channel to digital, it frees up enough bandwidth for three HD stations - that’s a lot. That means 150 HD stations can take the place of 50 analog channels and that is exactly why Comcast is making the switch. Satellite and fiber services tout, on average, over 50 HD stations where Comcast has around a dozen. Sure, Comcast can claim that it has more HD content than satellite but that’s only if you include the hundreds of D-run movies and shows available via ON-Demand. The conversion to digital allows the provider to easily serve up more HD stations and also, charge a lot more in fees.


CrunchGear Archive Comcast’s march to 100% digital will raise rates and alienate millions