

shimonmor

Premium Member

join:2000-12-30

Sedro Woolley, WA shimonmor Premium Member You don't say! No new news here for those of us who follow BBR and those who actually care (probably about 2% of Americans...number generated unscientifically while sitting at my computer eating Doritos).



The real question is what can we do? Not much. Voting with our wallets isn't a choice for many people who have no choice (don't bring up satellite). Large corporations have large amounts of money and many lobbyists and many loyal congressmen in their pockets who do their bidding. They rest of us just need to bend over.



Sorry, feeling a little bitter...or is it indigestion from too many Doritos?



chip89

Premium Member

join:2012-07-05

Columbia Station, OH chip89 Premium Member Re: You don't say! You said it no new news here!



cableties

Premium Member

join:2005-01-27 cableties to shimonmor

Premium Member to shimonmor

Doritos are bad for you!

bad bad bad.

they are engineered to tell your tastebuds they are needed!

the sodium, the fat = awesome taste.



But they are bad. Just like Cellphone plans. Unlimited Doritos! But at what price.



Elsewhere in the news: no mention we are still in a recession and everyone got a -2% hit on their pay stub. But all the services we need have gone up by 4% or more.



"Real gross domestic product -- the output of goods and services produced by labor and property

located in the United States -- decreased at an annual rate of 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012"

Rekrul

join:2007-04-21

Milford, CT Rekrul to shimonmor

Member to shimonmor

said by shimonmor: No new news here... Gee, it's amazing how you managed to reply to this story a full 21 hours before it was supposedly posted!



FFH5

Premium Member

join:2002-03-03

Tavistock NJ FFH5 Premium Member Cable wants MAX profits - what a shock Cable pricing strategies are designed to maximize profits. That is called capitalism. If they charge too much, competitors WILL find a way to move in.

jjeffeory

jjeffeory

join:2002-12-04

Bullhead City, AZ jjeffeory Member Re: Cable wants MAX profits - what a shock How when there are monopolies and duopolies in the entire country? ( Oh you mean Dish or DirecTV).

There's a fine line between market forces and collusion...

SunnyD

join:2009-03-20

Madison, AL 1 recommendation SunnyD to FFH5

Member to FFH5

Hard to find a way to move in when the incumbents are paying for laws to be passed to prevent any competition from being able to move in and/or quickly "buying out" any potential competition that manages to spring forth.



FLATLINE

join:2007-02-27

Buffalo, NY FLATLINE Member Re: Cable wants MAX profits - what a shock All of that is reversible. It starts and ends with the consumer. We are in this position because we were ignorant. Were not so ignorant anymore. The facts are there for everyone to see. Now its time to put on the pressure. Pressure you ISPs for better service at a better price. Pressure you local politicians to listen to their communities. Our problem is not the lobbyists. They are irrelevant if we are doing our job as citizens.



DataRiker

Premium Member

join:2002-05-19

00000 DataRiker Premium Member Re: Cable wants MAX profits - what a shock said by FLATLINE: It starts and ends with the consumer. We are in this position because we were ignorant.





But with Internet, it gets a bit tricky because it is essentially a utility now. 100% agree. I will never ever pay for television. Ever.But with Internet, it gets a bit tricky because it is essentially a utility now.

jagged

join:2003-07-01

Boynton Beach, FL jagged to FFH5

Member to FFH5

what capitalism when cable is your only choice in town for many people?



whiteshp

join:2002-03-05

Xenia, OH 1 recommendation whiteshp to FFH5

Member to FFH5

Monopolies don't get competition. Free market doesn't work when corruption controls the marketplace. That is the WHOLE point. Competitors can't move in because monopolies control the backhauls and can charge ANYTHING their mood feels like to raise rates (per company) on anyone who would dare try and compete with them pricing them into bankruptcy. Their lobbyists create constant legal red tape for monopolies to bankrupt mom and pop startups. Then throw in monopolies sign non competing agreements with other big carriers to gouge their areas for constant unescapeable rate hikes unless you want to live cut off from the world.



This is WHAT has been happening for the last ten+ years and for the same time there is ALWAYS someone saying "The free market will very soon fix the bad things happening right now!" "So everyone stop worrying already!" News flash it's been 10+ years and we still have the same monopolies grinding startups into dust. Nothing is changing.



We DON'T have a free market anymore. All we have for communications in America is monopolies who have vast control in who can be elected and own said elected. Then by proxy they get to staff their own regulatory agencies!



djrobx

Premium Member

join:2000-05-31

Valencia, CA 1 recommendation djrobx Premium Member Re: Cable wants MAX profits - what a shock News flash it's been 10+ years and we still have the same monopolies grinding startups into dust. Nothing is changing.



10 years ago, telephone companies were phone companies that also provided data services. Within DSL, there were lots of competitive sub-choices (third party CLECs, third party ISPs). There was a healthy rivalry between cable and DSL.



Today, the two biggest telcos are now providing video service (U-Verse and FiOS). That puts them in the same position as the cable companies - Netflix and satellite VOD competes with them, so limiting internet consumption gives their own service a competitive advantage. Their next gen networks are faster, but they're also closed to competitors.



The higher speeds are great, but they put a nail in the coffin to old, unlimited third party ADSL services and all of the competitors that don't own their own infrastructure.



The telcos are now looking at heavily capped wireless services as their new cash cow. Innovation from them has pretty much stopped. New U-verse and FiOS deployments have ceased. Without competition, what incentive do cable providers have to do anything other than offer sub-par service? They don't even do that well with TV service, where there is at least SOME competition.



I don't have a lot of hope for Google Fiber coming to my neighborhood, but I sure hope it or something like it takes off in the US. If it doesn't, I'm very concerned about the future of US broadband. I think things are far worse from a competitive viewpoint than they were 10 years ago.10 years ago, telephone companies werecompanies that also provided data services. Within DSL, there were lots of competitive sub-choices (third party CLECs, third party ISPs). There was a healthy rivalry between cable and DSL.Today, the two biggest telcos are now providing video service (U-Verse and FiOS). That puts them in the same position as the cable companies - Netflix and satellite VOD competes with them, so limiting internet consumption gives their own service a competitive advantage. Their next gen networks are faster, but they're also closed to competitors.The higher speeds are great, but they put a nail in the coffin to old, unlimited third party ADSL services and all of the competitors that don't own their own infrastructure.The telcos are now looking at heavily capped wireless services as their new cash cow. Innovation from them has pretty much stopped. New U-verse and FiOS deployments have ceased. Without competition, what incentive do cable providers have to do anything other than offer sub-par service? They don't even do that well with TV service, where there is at least SOME competition.I don't have a lot of hope for Google Fiber coming to my neighborhood, but I sure hope it or something like it takes off in the US. If it doesn't, I'm very concerned about the future of US broadband.



KrK

Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy

Premium Member

join:2000-01-17

Tulsa, OK Netgear WNDR3700v2

Zoom 5341J

KrK to FFH5

Premium Member to FFH5

Maximizing profits in an anti-competitive landscape means only one thing. Regulate.



Either 1) We must have open last mile and many options or 2) The providers should be regulated to prevent abuse.



Take your pick.



Option 3) None of the above is what we have now, and the abuse is just getting started.



Competitors? You mean Muni-Fiber? Of course not. That would be "unfair" now wouldn't it?

Rob_

Premium Member

join:2008-07-16

Mary Esther, FL Rob_ Premium Member DUHHH Let's not forget telcos and their data crap. Boost Mobile only gives me 2.3 gigs of 4G data per month. Their service is horrible. I might be switching to CSpire which looking by their coverage maps, uses AT&T and TMobile.



-Rob

TBBroadband

join:2012-10-26

Fremont, OH TBBroadband Member Re: DUHHH You can thank Sprint for that 2.3gig cap since they're the true owners of Boost Mobile.



ilikeme

Premium Member

join:2002-08-27

Stafford, TX ·Toast.net

ilikeme to Rob_

Premium Member to Rob_

said by Rob_: Let's not forget telcos and their data crap. Boost Mobile only gives me 2.3 gigs of 4G data per month. Their service is horrible. I might be switching to CSpire which looking by their coverage maps, uses AT&T and TMobile.



-Rob

C-Spire actually has their own network in the southeast (MS, AL, FL, and I think a few others). Elsewhere, they roam on Sprint and Verizon.



cork1958

Cork

Premium Member

join:2000-02-26 cork1958 to Rob_

Premium Member to Rob_

said by Rob_: Let's not forget telcos and their data crap. Boost Mobile only gives me 2.3 gigs of 4G data per month. Their service is horrible. I might be switching to CSpire which looking by their coverage maps, uses AT&T and TMobile.



-Rob



My Boost service is the best of any other carrier I've used and I've gone through most of them.



Regulation is the ONLY way there will ever be any competition for cable, plain and simple and I hope it starts soon. Unfortunately, we will have to get rid of all the pockets that have been lined in congress first! FWIW,My Boost service is the best of any other carrier I've used and I've gone through most of them.Regulation is the ONLY way there will ever be any competition for cable, plain and simple and I hope it starts soon. Unfortunately, we will have to get rid of all the pockets that have been lined in congress first!



motoracer

join:2003-09-15

united state motoracer Member Duhhhh Better technology decreases the cost for data transmission. Why then do prices keep going up and data caps keep getting lower? $$$$$$$$

elray

join:2000-12-16

Santa Monica, CA elray Member Re: Duhhhh said by motoracer: Better technology decreases the cost for data transmission. Why then do prices keep going up and data caps keep getting lower? $$$$$$$$





Our rates today are less than half what they were at the turn of the century, for 60x the speed. The prices don't "keep going up", and data caps are non-existent or not enforced.Our rates today are less than half what they were at the turn of the century, for 60x the speed.

axus

join:2001-06-18

Washington, DC axus Member Re: Duhhhh In 2000, I was on Earthlink DSL for less than I'm paying now, at 25% of the speed. Adjusted for inflation, probably about the same. Meanwhile, their cost to provide the service has gone down much faster.



Before that, I had a symmetrical 10Mbit university connection which cost us about $30 in fees for 6 months. I will be satisfied with the market when I can have that same deal again.



badtrip

Premium Member

join:2004-03-20 badtrip Premium Member Re: Duhhhh said by axus: ... I had a symmetrical 10Mbit university connection which cost us about $30 in fees for 6 months. I will be satisfied with the market when I can have that same deal again.





I would be happy to pay $80 for symmetrical 100Mb. Actually, I'd be so thrilled, I'm getting excited just thinking about it. I pay Sonic $80 a month for 30Mb/2Mb DSL. I am not happy with that price, I think it's too much, but I stay because I can't stand Comcast.I would be happy to pay $80 for symmetrical 100Mb. Actually, I'd be so thrilled, I'm getting excited just thinking about it.

elray

join:2000-12-16

Santa Monica, CA elray to axus

Member to axus

said by axus: In 2000, I was on Earthlink DSL for less than I'm paying now, at 25% of the speed. Adjusted for inflation, probably about the same. Meanwhile, their cost to provide the service has gone down much faster.



Before that, I had a symmetrical 10Mbit university connection which cost us about $30 in fees for 6 months. I will be satisfied with the market when I can have that same deal again.





When you return to the university and pay tuition, you can have cross-subsidized 10Mbit broadband again.



I'd rather we all pay the market price for service, so as to encourage as many sellers as possible to compete for our business and evolve their products. Earthlink still sells DSL and cable service, and it is reasonably priced, if not downright cheap, depending on the offer. We have it at several sites.When you return to the university and pay tuition, you can have cross-subsidized 10Mbit broadband again.I'd rather we all pay the market price for service, so as to encourage as many sellers as possible to compete for our business and evolve their products.

34764170 (banned)

join:2007-09-06

Etobicoke, ON 34764170 (banned) to elray

Member to elray

said by elray: The prices don't "keep going up", and data caps are non-existent or not enforced.



Our rates today are less than half what they were at the turn of the century, for 60x the speed.

You're so clueless it is ridiculous.



El Quintron

I've got 96 tears and 96 eyes

Premium Member

join:2008-04-28

Tronna El Quintron Premium Member Re: Duhhhh said by 34764170: said by elray: The prices don't "keep going up", and data caps are non-existent or not enforced.



Our rates today are less than half what they were at the turn of the century, for 60x the speed.



You're so clueless it is ridiculous.



(edit: wrong guy about cord cutter bit) Not so much clueless, but an unabashed industry mouthpiece, he works for AT&T or one of the CableCos...(edit: wrong guy about cord cutter bit)

34764170 (banned)

join:2007-09-06

Etobicoke, ON 34764170 (banned) Member Re: Duhhhh said by El Quintron: Not so much clueless, but an unabashed industry mouthpiece, he works for AT&T or one of the CableCos...



(edit: wrong guy about cord cutter bit)

Hard to tell who is a corporate shill and who is just plain clueless but it is the same handful of people that post pretty much all nonsense around here, especially about certain topics (.e.g. Google, cable, caps, FTTH, wireless, etc.) and the clueless actually believe the stuff they spew.

elray

join:2000-12-16

Santa Monica, CA elray to El Quintron

Member to El Quintron

said by El Quintron: Not so much clueless, but an unabashed industry mouthpiece, he works for AT&T or one of the CableCos...





My opposition to the daily shrill cries for "more, faster, cheaper", are philosophical - not in support of industry, but in opposition to collectivist action and government oppression through unlawful takings, taxation and monopoly power.



I'm not against cooperatives and local tax districts used for last-mile and middle-mile efforts, so long as they're approved by a supermajority vote of the taxpayers. But we get into trouble when we invite the likes of City Hall to run the show. I am but a consumer of industry product, but unlike 90% of the partisans here, I give credit where and when it is due, even to terrible companies like AT&T.My opposition to the daily shrill cries for "more, faster, cheaper", are philosophical - not in support of industry, but in opposition to collectivist action and government oppression through unlawful takings, taxation and monopoly power.I'm not against cooperatives and local tax districts used for last-mile and middle-mile efforts, so long as they're approved by a supermajority vote of the taxpayers. But we get into trouble when we invite the likes of City Hall to run the show.



El Quintron

I've got 96 tears and 96 eyes

Premium Member

join:2008-04-28

Tronna El Quintron Premium Member Re: Duhhhh said by elray: I am but a consumer of industry product, but unlike 90% of the partisans here, I give credit where and when it is due, even to terrible companies like AT&T.



My opposition to the daily shrill cries for "more, faster, cheaper", are philosophical - not in support of industry, but in opposition to collectivist action and government oppression through unlawful takings, taxation and monopoly power.



I'm not against cooperatives and local tax districts used for last-mile and middle-mile efforts, so long as they're approved by a supermajority vote of the taxpayers. But we get into trouble when we invite the likes of City Hall to run the show.

Sorry buddy I didn't get anything out of that except for some incumbent provider noise... must be something wrong with my monitor.

jjeffeory

jjeffeory

join:2002-12-04

Bullhead City, AZ jjeffeory to elray

Member to elray

Then why is the bill two or three times what it was at the turn of the century while most people's pay isn't?



newview

Ex .. Ex .. Exactly

Premium Member

join:2001-10-01

Parsonsburg, MD newview Premium Member Just another lie ... ... perpetuated by the cable companies in order to screw their subscribers out of their hard-earned cash. The only thing that will solve this continuing problem is government regulation. Government regulation of the cabletv/phone/internet/wireless companies CAN"T be as bad as the screwing subscribers are getting now.



FFH5

Premium Member

join:2002-03-03

Tavistock NJ FFH5 Premium Member Re: Just another lie ... said by newview: Government regulation of the cabletv/phone/internet/wireless companies CAN"T be as bad as the screwing subscribers are getting now.

Wanna bet?



shimonmor

Premium Member

join:2000-12-30

Sedro Woolley, WA 1 recommendation shimonmor Premium Member Re: Just another lie ... said by FFH5: said by newview: Government regulation of the cabletv/phone/internet/wireless companies CAN"T be as bad as the screwing subscribers are getting now.



Wanna bet? Pick your poison.



KrK

Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy

Premium Member

join:2000-01-17

Tulsa, OK KrK to FFH5

Premium Member to FFH5

It wouldn't be EXCEPT said regulation WOULD BE CONTROLLED BY THE INDUSTRY.



That's where the crap has to end. Regulators need to regulate and lobbyists need to be removed.

openbox9

Premium Member

join:2004-01-26

71144 openbox9 to newview

Premium Member to newview

said by newview: perpetuated by the cable companies in order to screw their subscribers out of their hard-earned cash. Wow. So you're being forced into giving up your money?

jjeffeory

jjeffeory

join:2002-12-04

Bullhead City, AZ jjeffeory Member Re: Just another lie ... IF you want to participate in modern society, uh yea... This is like saying Oh so you're being forced to pay for rent or a mortgage. Good luck with that argument really...

openbox9

Premium Member

join:2004-01-26

71144 openbox9 Premium Member Re: Just another lie ... I'm not arguing anything. I'm simply taking issue with the use of "screwing". That implies these 'poor consumers' don't know whats happening to them or that they aren't receiving the services they pay for.

NOVA_UAV_Guy

Premium Member

join:2012-12-14

Purcellville, VA NOVA_UAV_Guy to newview

Premium Member to newview

said by newview: Government regulation of the cabletv/phone/internet/wireless companies CAN"T be as bad as the screwing subscribers are getting now. I've found that those who believe government control/intervention can't possibly make things worse in a particular situation are usually proven wrong. After all, inefficiency and laziness are hardly choice weapons to use in a battle against ruthlessness and greed.

15444104 (banned)

join:2012-06-11 15444104 (banned) Member LOL! said by FFH5: Cable pricing strategies are designed to maximize profits. That is called capitalism.



If they charge too much, competitors WILL find a way to move in.





Not with the current system they won't.



There are simply not enough different providers to make this a reality in the USA.



As a result the FCC needs to impose more harsh regulations to make the companies behave in a more reasonable manner while still making a decent profit. LOL.Not with the current system they won't.There are simply not enough different providers to make this a reality in the USA.As a result the FCC needs to impose more harsh regulations to make the companies behave in a more reasonable manner while still making a decent profit.

whoyourdaddy

join:2013-02-20

Honey Brook, PA whoyourdaddy Member now they now they will have to come up with another idea to keep the CAPS in place like for the people the pirate movies and music and things so the caps will stay....

whoyourdaddy whoyourdaddy Member Re: now they PAY MORE GET LESS that's how this country works now congress cant do their job gas prices so high food prices going up and company's making record profets



Ericthorn

It only hurts when I laugh

Premium Member

join:2001-08-10

Paragould, AR Ericthorn Premium Member Nothing will change... The behemoth providers will continue to jack up prices and cap usage because it's how they "provide a better customer experience".



Until some federal agency or government mandates competition, it'll be business as usual, no matter what the facts show.

BiggA

Premium Member

join:2005-11-23

Central CT ·Cox HSI

ARRIS SB6141

Asus RT-AC68

BiggA Premium Member Depends on the market This is a HUGE issue in many markets where cable effectively has no competition. However, for others, like in suburban Boston, this isn't an issue, as they have fierce competition from FIOS.



It will be interesting to see what Comcast does. It would look rather hypocritical to give certain markets unlimited, i.e. FIOS markets, while capping others, so maybe they will be forced to keep the caps off? They currently have a theoretical cap, but they even say they aren't enforcing it.



YukonHawk

join:2001-01-07

Patterson, NY YukonHawk Member Caps are.... nothing but a big pile of hot, steaming poop!!!



IowaCowboy

Supermarket Hero

Premium Member

join:2010-10-16

Springfield, MA ARRIS SB6183

Netgear R8000

1 edit IowaCowboy Premium Member Protecting revenue Caps are the industry's answer to net neutrality as they cannot throttle Netflix or charge Netflix (or other Internet video services) for access to their cable plants. Comcast, Time Warner, and other cable companies are TV providers as their core business. Being an ISP and phone company are like a side business to them. It's like a tavern that makes most of its money from drink sales but has a food offering to compliment their drinks. In Biddeford, ME there is a place called Mulligans that is mostly a bar but they have food as well and the reason they sell a whole plate of food for under $5 is they burn you on the drinks like nearly $3 for a soda with no free refills. I compare that to a cable ISP is they offer broadband at reasonable prices but they burn you on the TV so if you don't buy TV they charge more. I see using Internet video on a cable ISP like bringing your own drink to Mulligans where the drinks subsidize the food.



I am pretty sure eventually the cable ISPs will refuse to sell standalone Internet and require a minimum TV purchase although I will remain neutral on that issue. Verizon did the same by requiring a phone line to get DSL.



If you subscribe to basic cable ($5.76 in my area), it puts you on the books as a video subscriber and you get the cheaper Internet prices.



Like I've said before, they have the same infrastructure costs regardless of the products a subscriber subscribes to.



I just don't understand what is behind all the cord cutting. When I was young, many people gladly subscribed to cable. I was excited when I first got cable and I never looked back.



It would be nice if I could watch TV on my iPad, it will be nice when Comcast launches AnyPlay in my area.

decifal

join:2007-03-10

Bon Aqua, TN decifal Member um Um, yeah no kidding folks... Any actual new news? lol



atuarre

Here come the drums

Premium Member

join:2004-02-14

EC/SETX SWLA atuarre Premium Member RE We already knew this. Just like we knew when the carriers were thinking about bringing LTE into the home for Internet access, it was just another attempt to screw the consumer over with ridiculously low caps and ridiculous overages.

tmc8080

join:2004-04-24

Brooklyn, NY tmc8080 Member newsworthy? in other news, seasonal rises in gasoline prices are all about ripping you off and not due to supply/demand factors. why should gasoline prices rise in January to March (the "off" season for travel) only to jack even higher in the summer driving season (May - October)? Yes, you got it right, it's about ripping you off, then ripping you off some more!



welcome to the new economy your re-elected president & congress won't to a damn thing about it either. expect a lower quality of life than before 2003 due to all the corruption and wealth disparity around the world. this is the new "NORMAL". is it newsworthy that it's been infecting telecom for the last decade or more? why not report water is wet too.

Mr Matt

join:2008-01-29

Eustis, FL Mr Matt Member Split the cable and telephone companies. Split the cable and telephone industry into regulated wired connection providers and service providers. The wired connection providers would deliver the signal to the consumer. Each voice, internet and entertainment service provider would lease bandwidth on the wired connection providers network. That is the way dial up internet service worked. The cost of telephone service was regulated. The ISP subscribed to the number of lines required to provide adequate service to their customers. During the era of dial up internet there were many independent ISP's. Failure. In 1995 my employer charged $25.00 per month for a 14.4 Kbps dial up connection. By 2002 one could subscribe to a 53Kbps dial up connection for $9.95 per month. All of the subsidies to the telephone and cable industry should be transferred to the wired service providers requiring the wired service providers to use the money to enhance their networks.

turtlespeed

join:2013-02-21

united state turtlespeed Member Where's the Fairness I live in Oklahoma and we have Cableone for our Internet Service. The service is fast 50MB down & 5MB up, the Big Problem is there's a 50 GB Cap. Oklahoma City and Tulsa both have Cox Cable for their Internet Service their Cap is 400 GB's Our City is Getting Ripped off Big Time. I called to complain and a nice lady said they are thinking about Raising the Cap a Little Bit but she didnt know when. What our City Needs is Cox Cable!!!!