How to resolve question of ownership of wiring in a building?

[grooves12]

Currently our building is serviced by Comcast for CableTV and internet... I have been tasked at looking into alternative providers for our HOA.

There is no bundled programming or guaranteed commitment to Comcast, however "someone" who has looked into this in the past says that a stumbling block in the past was the Comcast claims to have ownership of the wiring in our building. However, speaking to our onsite manager he can not find or is not aware of any official contract or easement with Comcast.

I understand that Comcast probably does own the wiring into our media closets... but from there where the wiring then runs through the building and into our units, I have serious doubts to Comcast being able to make a legitimate claim to that.


So, how do I go about resolving this issue once and for all??

[Nick]

Get a lawyer.

[egnlsn]

Usually, the building owner signs an R.O.E. (Right of Entry) with the cable company, which has a time frame. Typically, it is 7 years. After that R.O.E. expires, regardless of who actually installed the cabling, the cabling then belongs to the building owner.

[grooves12]

That makes sense... but if nobody in the building's management (it is an HOA so no sole owner) is aware of such an agreement, how would we go about finding out if one exists or not?

[DirecTv Chicago]

I would challenge the fact that they own the cabling. Then they would be forced to provide you the documentation/contract at which point you have everything you need.

[egnlsn]

That makes sense... but if nobody in the building's management (it is an HOA so no sole owner) is aware of such an agreement, how would we go about finding out if one exists or not?
There was an R.O.E. entered into between the building's owner (or HOA/management company) and the cable company. Cable companies can't just go in and run cabling all over a building without permission from the owner or management entity. Without permission, it would be trespassing and vandalism.

If a copy of the agreement can't be found with the HOA or management company, one could be obtained at the cable company's office. They are a matter of public record.

It is entirely possible, however, that it was cabled by the electrical contractor or another contractor when it was built. If so, you can do whatever you want with it.

[Rac97crawford]

If you are looking to have Direct TV as an option in addition to Comcast, then you are going to need to have a parallel infrastructure installed. You can use the same coax lines from your closets to the units, but the "back bones" will need to be separate. So you'll still need to see if you have a R.O.E. agreement with Comcast and then get a Satellite company in to install the Direct TV "back bone". Then all the tenants will have the option of the two providers.