As many of you know, COX is rolling out the "All Digital / All Encrypted / CableReady TVs Are Now Useless / R.I.P. Clear-QAM" campaign to most of the markets this year. They are offering most of the subscribers 1 mini box for *free for 12 months. After the 12 month period, you will be charged $1.99 per month rental fee for the equipment. The units COX is delivering are different in different markets. The set top boxes distributed are COX branded units including the following:
1) Evolution HD-uDTA DMS2004UHDS
2) Cisco DTA 170HD
These unbranded units are readily available from third-party outlets for a purchase cost between $19 - $36.
I called COX support to ask about getting a personal Universal Digital Transport Adapter (uDTA) compatible device registered to my account. I was told that COX will not allow subscribers to use their own DTAs nor will they allow you to purchase one from COX, as to avoid the additional recurring "rental" fee. Each uDTA downloads software from the cable provider, allowing the cable provider to have complete control over the device and allow them to disable service to the individual device at ANY time, remotely. This is exactly how a DOCSIS 3.x High Speed cable modem functions. This is why you can buy your own cable modem and not be required to pay a monthly rental fee for the use of a COX HSI Cable Modem.
According to the FCC Rule 76.1205(b)(5)(C):
Your cable provider must allow you to use your own set-top box without extra charge.
"Your cable operator may charge you to lease a CableCARD or tuning adapter, but may not charge you an additional service fee for using your own digital-cable-ready television or set-top box."
Has anyone been successful at registering a consumer owned device on the COX network? If so, which department is knowledgeable in this area beyond the "script" they are provided during their orientation? No one at my local COX Solution Center was able to assist me in getting an answer to this inquiry. I have a call into my Local Franchising Authority (LFA) on this matter to see if they can offer contact information for anyone at COX to assist me - still waiting on a call back.