This was sent to me from reliable sources but is UNAUTHENTICATED -- If you

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

> Here's the full text of the memo from TCI Cable COO Barry Marshall to the
> troops:
>
> As we move into the regulatory environment, it's important to remember
> something vital ... Under regulation, we can't simply adjust our economics
> anymore. We have to take the revenue from the sources that we can, when we
> can. To that end I want to remind each of you that the transaction charges for
> upgrades, downgrades, customer-caused service calls, VCR hookups, etc. are
> vital new revenue sources to us. We estimate that by charging for these
> functions we can recover almost half of what we're losing from rate
> adjustments.
>
> We have to have discipline. Much like the install fee problem, we cannot be
> dissuaded from the charges simply because customers object. It will take a
> while but they'll get used to it...they pay it to other service providers all
> the time..and it isn't free with the phone company!
>
> Please hang in on this and installs, and we can still have a great fourth
> quarter when we have out heaviest volume. The best news of all is, we can
> blame it on reregulation and the government now. Let's take advantage of it!
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> My comment: there's nothing really outrageous here until you hit the last
> paragraph. They're allowed to set certain charges under the Act and FCC
> rules. Do you often not take a tax deduction you're entitled to under the IRS
> rules?
>
> But the tone anchored in the last graph is outrageous. Remember that New York
> Times rule, kids. If you don't want to read about it on the front page, don't
> put it in writing.