Alameda Power & Telecom Warns Customers of Unauthorized Changes of Cable Service.

ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Alameda Power & Telecom has advised its customers to keep a close eye on their cable television and Internet service -- and not just for the great entertainment they provide. Some customers have reported that their services have been cut without their authorization and transferred to Comcast. E[acute accent]"We hope that this circumstance is just an oversight on the part of Comcast's representatives or someone else," said Alameda Power & Telecom General Manager Valerie Fong. "I would not like to think that any company was attempting to take advantage of Alameda citizens." E[acute accent]On Tuesday afternoon, Alameda Power & Telecom started receiving calls from some customers in area apartments and condominiums advising that they had lost their Alameda Power & Telecom cable television and/or Internet service. Upon investigation, it was found that these services indeed had been cut and transferred over to Comcast. E[acute accent]"Alamedans are a pretty savvy group," Fong continued. "They carefully consider their purchasing decisions." E[acute accent]One of the largest cable companies in the nation, Comcast already has structured pricing unique to Alameda. While Alameda Power & Telecom service still costs significantly less, Comcast itself costs less in Alameda than in surrounding communities. E[acute accent]Fong amplified, "We like to see that as one of the benefits of competition. But I wonder how residents of San Leandro perceive this 'special pricing.'" E[acute accent]Alameda Power & Telecom has advised Comcast of the incidents and requested their assistance in preventing further unauthorized switching of customers. E[acute accent]Several industry associations have advised Alameda Power & Telecom of instances of anticompetitive behavior affecting other municipal systems. "We play by the rules and in the open and hope that this situation is just an oversight," Fong added.