As far as "wired" services, there are two competing providers in parts of Virginia Beach, VA. Both distribute signals through fiber, although one coverts to coax using devices that are shared by dozens of residential customers, while the other installs separate devices for each residence.
As far as FCC requirements for "must carry" local broadcasts being available as in the clear SD and HD, I'm wondering if that applies to broadcasters who have waived their free "must carry" status and demanded compensation (cash or advertisements) in exchange for allowing cable (including fiber) providers to put their broadcasts on the systems.
Also:
Splitters aren't created equal. In some cases a generic TV splitter can't handle the higher frequencies some digital cable channels utilize. A device's (ATSC/QAM or cable converter) ability to receive those higher frequency channel might improve if the splitters are replaced with ones specifically marked for digital cable, satellite or "GHz" use. I got such a splitter at a substantial discount (compared to an electronics retailer) at the cable company's walk up payment and customer service center.
I doubt more than one channel will be available on the outputs of a cable converter at a time. If a cable subscriber wants reception on ANY encrypted digital channels they would need to use the converter's remote to tune any signals through the converter box. The cable company probably provides different converter models for SD customers (with S-video, RF and/or composite outputs only) and HD customers (with component, VGA, DVI and/or HDMI outputs). You probably wount see any ATSC/QAM signal through the converter (even if it features an RF out port). To connect a ATSC/QAM signal to the inputs on your TV you will probably need a high bandwidth converter (as I described above) and split the signal between the converter and the TV's QAM compatible RF cable input.
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