Forced GCI 'upgrade' not an improvement

The new mandatory digital "upgrade" forced on us by GCI is certainly anything but an upgrade. With this new service we now pay more for less service and every television set uses one more electrical device that is always on and consuming energy.

The most aggravating "improvement" is the loss of the use of the VCR.

With the use of the digital cable box you can no longer use the VCR to record programs from multiple TV channels. A VCR simply does not function in a programmable mode. How is this an improvement for the additional fee? Are you surprised that the GCI solution is an additional box for an additional $15.99?

I also found the following quote from Sen. Ted Stevens' Web site:

"A television connected to cable, satellite or other pay television service will not experience any disruptions in their service relating to the DTV transition."

This is why I do not think the cable boxes are mandated by the government as GCI claims.

Is GCI honest with the new program? When you visit the government DTV site or watch any of the public service announcements it is clear that cable companies are providing the signal without any additional equipment or cost to the subscriber. My family in the lower 48 subscribes to cable and they will not have to do anything to continue getting a signal. Why can other cable providers across the U.S. provide the analog service and the digital service to the subscribers who want digital signal?

In fact, until June 3, GCI was doing just that. They provided analog signals to users unless they wanted to pay the fee and get a box for a digital signal. They had and have the capability to do that but instead are claiming that they cannot without the additional fees.

GCI contends that there is no additional charge for the program. A subscriber cannot receive any signal without this box and fee, so isn't that an increase in the charge for service?

You cannot telephone anyone at GCI except technical support or Customer Service regarding this or any issue. The technicians have been honest and helpful but cannot pass on your comments to the corporate office. They tell you to send an e-mail. GCI will respond. Perhaps if enough of us send e-mails every day we could at least get some dialog going with the management to resolve the issues.

Now don't laugh when you see the e-mail address: complaints_praise@gci.com.

Judith Hauck

Juneau