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09/21/09
[people.forbes.com]
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[xspblog.com]
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Love that song.
My opinion:
While I don't agree with Comcast's practices, I'd also rather not have the government set the precedent of regulating the internet. Sure, they may do everything right (doubtful but possible) in their initial regulations but what happens when someone with less than wonderful ethics/morals comes into power over said regulations? Something does need to be done, but I'm not sure that legislation specifically regarding the internet is the solution.
Just my two cents.
09/21/09
It is not in the cable's best interest to allow net neutrality, or to give us the best service. Capitalism is not a political system, nor is it a system that protects consumers. For that you need government. The last 10 years need to be instructive.
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As much as I looove my broadband, ultimately its "essentialness" is determined by the effects of its removal on the people buying it.
Lets compare effects of removal on both broadband and electricty on the average individual.
A modern home is essentially unlivable without electricity. There's no provision for food storage other than dry goods. Modern homes are also designed in such a way that a significant portion of the time you can't get adequate ventilation should the HVAC not be working. Those are just the major issues. Yes people can and do live without electricity all over the world but in those instances there is old tech and old behaviours in play that allows them to do that. Perishable food is purchased/delivered daily or things like wells and block ice storage are used and homes are designed for maximum convective ventilation.
Now lets look at broadband. Whats the effect to the average individual lacking broadband? You lose email, websurfing, online bill pay, etc etc. We still currently have the old tech mechanisms in place to make up those losses. You can mail a check for your bills or mail letters or call on the phone etc etc.
Once widespread, easily accessible alternatives to the necessary actions individuals use the internet for, it won't be considered essential.
09/21/09
09/22/09
@Bobby Glossop: I'm not justifying their behavior at all, like I said, just trying to provide perspective. Customers are NOT caught in a monopoly at all, and claiming they are is absurd. There's absolutely nothing preventing another ISP from coming in and providing Internet access and competing - other than perceived demand and profitability, you know, business. Convenient high-speed internet access at a persons's residence is not essential.
09/21/09
Mr. Cohen, I find your view of the current US broadband industry as a sad misguided man's sense of denial. The US broadband system is a pitiful example of how a country's communications system should be run. No more than 2 service providers are available in most areas. Service quality is arbitrarily declared by companies that have no incentive to improve. Your own company refused to acknowledge any real limit on it's service until the very last minute. An act that blatantly declared your lack of direction and intent on improving our countries broadband outlook. As it is we trail every other major country in broadband speed, quality and service standards and yet. Comcast sits back on it's backside ready to be happy with just being the lone provider in most markets.
With the large amount of money you pay to congressmen and officials it's no wonder you've come this far. However it's time to acknowledge that your customers know what they want and that you should be providing it for them. You recently increased your bandwidth speeds to some customers. Why aren't all customers treated the same? At the very least can you acknowledge your company's lack of reason to improve your network? Would it have something to do with IPTV improving in quality and standards that you aren't ready to compete with?
In my community(NW suburbs of Chicago), there are 2 choices for broadband, you and AT&T ADSL. At your prices I see no reason to switch and ADSL is a limited method of connection. Providers like Verizon FIOS which offer a competitive service so far have been unable to break into the market. Why am I saddled with a sad sort company like Comcast or a not up to snuff AT&T when I know with proper regulation America could have a broadband network that would make the other countries jealous?
Yes the USA is a hard company to run fiber through but just like our highways we all need to agree that it's in our best interest to improve our situation. You seem to be fighting that movement in hopes to secure your sole embankments in smaller markets. For that I pity you.
09/21/09
Let's look back, back before the "evil" cable companies brought you Hi Speed Internet.
What where your choices exactly? 19.2 phonelines. Wow, bet you miss that don't you?
Did you know that the PHONE companies main switches could do ISDN for the last 25 years? Every new electronic switch could do it right out of the box. But did the phone companies sell it to you? HELL no. Because THEY wanted to control the pricing of data services, which btw where very VERY expensive before cable.
So, go cry me a river, tell us all how "evil" comcast and the cable companies are, the ones that BROUGHT YOU AFFORDABLE internet 100 times faster then what the phone company was giving you.
Without them you'd be at ISDN speed right now, paying $100 a month.
So go ahead, write the FCC, let them control your internet, watch speeds stagnate, watch caps lower, watch overage prices increase.
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09/21/09
Uhm... Torrent Apps to do what???
Download ILLEGAL apps right?
Please this whole torrent apps thing is BS and I think they should slow it down for people downloading illegal music.
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its not socialism its regulation. Which is something the internet doesn't need.
09/21/09