Time Warner Cable: Let's Not Talk About Net Neutrality - As we engage in an unprecedented, anti-competitive endeavor
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Time Warner Cable: Let's Not Talk About Net Neutrality As we engage in an unprecedented, anti-competitive endeavor (old news - 02:14PM Wednesday Apr 15 2009) tags: legal · prices · competition · fcc · business · bandwidth · Op/Ed · cable · legislation · net-neutrality · consumers · caps Tipped by kamm
Ars Technica notes that while Time Warner Cable is busy dealing with the scuff up over their metered billing plans, they're busy telling the FCC to pipe down about network neutrality concerns. As we've explored, the government is requiring anybody who takes some of the initial $7.2 billion in broadband stimulus funds to adhere to open network principles. The problem is that FCC language on this front remains undefined, and carriers of course worry the definitions could hurt revenues. In a filing earlier this week, Time Warner Cable scolds the FCC: "Now is not the time, nor is this the appropriate proceeding, to engage in a debate about the need for net neutrality obligations. Debates in this proceeding about new net neutrality regulations would only divert attention from these important goals, delaying the distribution of funds while generating considerable contention when the Commission should instead be fostering a spirit of collaboration." ... "robust competition in the broadband marketplace ensures that service providers will act in consumers' best interests." Of course with Time Warner Cable currently proposing caps as low as 1GB and overages as high as $2 per GB, now would probably be a good time to discuss what constitutes network discrimination. It may also be a good time to discuss whether taxpayers should be giving funds to carriers like Time Warner Cable, who have spent millions lobbying to ban towns and cities from wiring themselves with broadband -- even in cases where nobody else will. Time Warner Cable's contention that "robust" competition will deter bad behavior is also curious, given that the cable company is only testing metered billing in areas where it doesn't compete with Verizon FiOS. Why? Users in less competitive markets (and Time Warner Cable serves several), can't vote with their wallet. Related:- Thursday Morning Links
- Thursday Evening Links
- Cable: Let Us Experiment With Pricing Or The Internet Explodes
- Real Consumer Group Takes Aim At Fake Ones
- What Network Neutrality Is REALLY About
- Cable Industry: Shucks, Guess Nobody Wants CableCARDs
- AT&T: Google Is The Enemy Of Nuns
- FCC Study: Open Access Lowers Prices, Improves Competition
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patcat88 @ 15th Apr 02:00PM:
lets charge overages for digital cable
Why don't we put GB caps on the amount of Digital Cable/Mpeg2 transport stream you can watch per month? HD will eat your bucket faster unless you watch an "economy HD" stream (most are anyways right now :D).
The cable boxes already record and send back ever remote press you do and what you watch to headquarters for data mining. Charging digital cable by the GB would be as easy as pie. $1 a GB, which is about 45 mins of SDTV.
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Bit @ 15th Apr 02:02PM:
Now isn't the time...
...to illegally abuse your market position and bend customers over a barrel just because you want to profiteer while defending your insanely profitable VOD and video revenues from superior competitors like Apple, Microsoft, Netflix, Hulu and Amazon.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 02:06PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
They can do what they want with THEIR network. You are free to build your own and service customers the way you want. Nobody is making you use TWC or any other carrier.
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Matt @ 15th Apr 02:10PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
They can do what they want with THEIR network. You are free to build your own and service customers the way you want. Nobody is making you use TWC or any other carrier.
Unfortunately, when you get into the game of suing people so they can't compete with you, your whole argument goes out the window.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 02:13PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
No its not out the window. You can compete. YOU can build our own network. Anyone can build their own network. I'm sure TWC won't sue you. I'm sure they won't see ATT for expanding. They sued when it started to come down to tax-payer money. You have choices, I have choices, if you don't like the choices, change providers or BUILD OUT your own network. And thanks to VZ fiber is getting cheaper.
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anon @ 15th Apr 02:16PM:
Way to go TWC...
You have to love TWC, they never cease to amaze me.
Not only are they in the midst of starting a new ridiculous billing system to bilk their customers they have the nerve to chastise the FCC (while still extending their hand out for government assistance) claiming that current competition will keep the broadband industry in line.
If TWC truly believed their own hype they would try their new gouging plan in an area with some true competition (like NYC) and not in areas where the customers have basically no other options for service...
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CPUYODA @ 15th Apr 02:16PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
But what if they're the only game in town?....then what?
--
"In God We Trust,All Others Pay Cash"
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kamm @ 15th Apr 02:17PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
They can do what they want with THEIR network. You are free to build your own and service customers the way you want. Nobody is making you use TWC or any other carrier.
Yeah, rrrrriiiight.
Just like as they compete with Cablevision - wait, somehow mysteriously their service areas EXCLUDE each others' streets...
Fuckin' PoS monopolies.
PS: ah and how much do they pay you to come here and spread the BS, seriously? I could use some extra income... :D
--
said by bicker :
Waaaa waaaa waaaa. You just want what you want and don't care to factor in what is right or true. Your perspectives are un-American, and deserve far more ridicule than I'm prepared to pile on them.
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ILpt4U @ 15th Apr 02:23PM:
Once given up...
If Net Neutrality is ever given up, it will never be got back.
So now is the PERFECT TIME to keep the principles of a Neutral Network.
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Bit @ 15th Apr 02:27PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Yeah, tell that to the munis who try only to have incumbent providers bribe politicians into passing laws stopping them.
So the claim that anyone can just build out a network is horseshit.
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Karl Bode @ 15th Apr 02:27PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
YOU can build our own network. Anyone can build their own network.
That "build your own network" line ignores so many market realities for argumentative effect, it's a little insulting.
Were it that easy, don't you think there'd be significantly more competitors in most American markets? "Build your own network" in an age where incumbent operators appreciate the protection of well-lobbied regulators is kind of like telling a kid with broken legs to go fight Mike Tyson in a ring with a fixed referee if he's so unhappy with all that time he has to spend on the couch.
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Sammer @ 15th Apr 02:28PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
BUILD OUT your own network.
Right after you pay off all the politicians, etc.!
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anon @ 15th Apr 02:39PM:
msg deleted
deleted by a moderator
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chazpaw @ 15th Apr 02:42PM:
Re: Once given up...
Amen!
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blips @ 15th Apr 02:43PM:
Re: Once given up...
said by ILpt4U :
If Net Neutrality is ever given up, it will never be got back.
So now is the PERFECT TIME to keep the principles of a Neutral Network.
Same thing with caps but there is only one major ISP that is not talking about implementing caps, Verizon. Even so I'm sure they will cave in due time. We will never have caps less internet connections again.
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en102 @ 15th Apr 02:52PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
I agree.
Telco/Cable Co will attempt to slow down/impede progress on competition so that they DO NOT have to compete directly (like Cablevision/Comcast vs. Verizon FiOS).
Muni broadband is easier to sue against, as its taxpayer money vs. business.
"robust competition in the broadband marketplace ensures that service providers will act in consumers' best interests."
needs to be replaced with
"anti-competition in the broadband marketplace ensures that service providers will act in share holders consumers' best interests."
--
Canada = Hollywood North
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me1212 @ 15th Apr 02:56PM:
Re: Once given up...
Verizon may or may not have caps, they may be able to use it against their competition(move in to areas were TW is the only other choice, it would get them a lot more costumers). Or maybe there will be only business packages with no caps, comcast is doing that, maybe others will follow.
If more internet only ISPs come into the market that would help, they would not have video or phone money to protect.
EDIT: Also BPL, If BPL gets big(I hope it does) I just cannot see many if any powercos capping usage it would be kinda a conflict of intrests.
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wstcvnaca @ 15th Apr 03:06PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
They can do what they want with THEIR network. You are free to build your own and service customers the way you want. Nobody is making you use TWC or any other carrier.
What a lame and stupid comment. GET REAL!!!
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Simba7 @ 15th Apr 03:16PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Sure.. I'll build my own network..
Oh wait.. Who's going to give me the millions of dollars up front to build it? You?
..and what's going to prevent TWC from smashing my idea into the ground?
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travelguy @ 15th Apr 03:18PM:
As I Said - It's About The Business Model - not cost
If you'd like a short, relatively easy to read article on why TW is doing this (and as I've posted previously, it's not about bandwidth costs), check out the Wall Street Journal »online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-200···479.html
Edit: WSJ is screwing around with their access rules. If you click on the direct link above, you get the first para. if you go through Google News, you get the complete article.
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kamm @ 15th Apr 03:18PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Well, he IS a well-known paid astroturf of the cable industry here so no surprise he's spewing utter BS... check his history and you get the picture: »/postlist/887660?cat=start
--
said by bicker :
Waaaa waaaa waaaa. You just want what you want and don't care to factor in what is right or true. Your perspectives are un-American, and deserve far more ridicule than I'm prepared to pile on them.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 03:21PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Start your own? Wild Blue? Hughes Net? You have options. If you don't like it then build your own?
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DannyZ @ 15th Apr 03:21PM:
Re: Once given up...
You didn't get the memo? BPL is dead.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 03:22PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Anyone can. You can go out and build your own network. Nobody said ANYONE included the gov't.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 03:23PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Sorry don't work for the local cable company. But if you read my posts before you would know that. I work for a company based out of Ann Arbor, MI and for Meijer Stores, Inc.
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anon @ 15th Apr 03:24PM:
msg deleted
deleted by a moderator
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 03:25PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
how is it a lame or stupid comment? it is THEIR network. YOU DID NOT pay for it. the FEDS DID NOT pay for their network. They started small and got the size they did from cities that could not get anyone in. NOW many states have laws where ANYONE PRIVATE company can become a CATV/IP company if they want. Go spend your money and start building out.
If you don't like it don't use the damn provider you're on now. It's that easy.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 03:26PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Go build your own and thank your city for creating them. You wanted TV and Phone. Well that was the only way you were going to get it back when they came out.
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Lazlow @ 15th Apr 03:26PM:
Re: Once given up...
blips
This is exactly why we need to keep making a stink about this. When enough people find out how much profit the ISPs are already making on us they will get mad. When a politician finds out that his people are motivated (rare occurrence) they usually pick up the banner and go somewhere with it (not necessarily somewhere good, but somewhere).
The other reason to keep making a stink is that it will show the companies that there is a market for non capped service. In the (few) areas that there is actually competition, the competitors will realize that they can gain customers by offering non capped service. Since most customers hate to switch service, once they have switched they are unlikely to switch back.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 03:26PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Ever hear of private venture groups?
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me1212 @ 15th Apr 03:33PM:
Re: Once given up...
If there is ever a market for it it may come back.
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sbrook @ 15th Apr 03:37PM:
It will NEVER be the time to talk about NN!
ISPs who don't believe in it will come up with any and every excuse to avoid the topic.
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KrK @ 15th Apr 03:44PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
If you don't like it then build your own?
Better idea: Government takes over last mile and then allows anyone to be their own ISP at the same rate. That way the issue of easements and access is solved.
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
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Bit @ 15th Apr 03:44PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Wrong, not anyone can.
If TWC doesn't want to play by fair and simple rules, let them surrender their franchises. Whether it's media, manufacturing, medicine, software...all businesses are subject to rules and regulations prohibiting them from abusing their market position in their engagement of competitors.
If TWC doesn't like it, let them conduct business in another country.
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Transmaster @ 15th Apr 03:45PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
Start your own? Wild Blue? Hughes Net? You have options. If you don't like it then build your own?
Oh please what a vacuous comment. Build your own what are you smoking. It is almost impossible for someone to start anything. With the endless government red tape, established ISP suing, politicians demanding a piece of the action in the form of campaign contributions, getting rights of way for feed lines or zoning for wireless delivery towers, etc, etc, etc, etc. What is the story here do you have a vested interest in seeing metered billing is as reality.
--
I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.
- Mark Twain in Eruption
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KrK @ 15th Apr 03:46PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
Anyone can. You can go out and build your own network. Nobody said ANYONE included the gov't.
Really, so I can just come on over to your place and start installing my equipment and cables all over your property? Nope. I can't. And not anyone else's either, therefore, I can't "Just build my own."
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
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Transmaster @ 15th Apr 03:50PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
Anyone can. You can go out and build your own network. Nobody said ANYONE included the gov't.
Tell that to Google. Remember they tried to set up a network for free wifi in San Fransico. The City of San Fransico acted like the cost of this system was coming out of their own pockets. They laided down so many conditions that Google walked away. If Google with their almost bottomless pockets couldn't do it what makes you thing you, or I could. :hmm:
--
I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's.
- Mark Twain in Eruption
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TheGhost @ 15th Apr 03:50PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
They can do what they want with THEIR network. You are free to build your own and service customers the way you want. Nobody is making you use TWC or any other carrier.
They were also allowed to build THEIR network under a monopoly situation.
Are you saying we should be able to allow someone else to come into an area and to set up a new cable provider and have a monopoly (say 10yrs) where TWC will not be allowed to provide services. It would only be fair to allow the new competitor time to build up THEIR network as well. Of course, in 10 years, we would need to switch again and allow the next new competitor to set up shop.
The only psuedo competition we have now is coming from the ILECs which got to their position via monopoly as well.
Due to the HUGE infrastructure head-start that the ILECs and CableCos were given, it would be unfeasible for someone to go set up greenfield.
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patcat88 @ 15th Apr 03:53PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
They can do what they want with THEIR network. You are free to build your own and service customers the way you want. Nobody is making you use TWC or any other carrier.
Try getting a PUC permit to be an ILEC, try, its grandfathered forever. PUC will tell you to goto the municipality for a telecom/video/whatever franchise which will let you hang wires on the poles, and a municipality won't approve it unless you grease the palms of every town council member to approve your franchise. I've researched it (hang OSP ethernet wire from my house to a neighbor's 1/2 a mile down the road who has cable and run a VDSL bridge, since TW wants $25K to extend the line).
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Bit @ 15th Apr 03:55PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
No kidding. If TWC wants to play the "what's minez be minez" game, let them start paying $10/ft a month in rent on all their easements including those that sit on otherwise private homeowner property. They don't get to plop a big ugly box down in my yard and play the "minez" game.
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Bit @ 15th Apr 03:56PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Don't forget you will also spend millions defending yourself from cable/telco propaganda and lawsuits.
"We don't want to deploy or improve our infrastructure, but we don't want anyone else to deploy either".
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patcat88 @ 15th Apr 03:57PM:
Re: Once given up...
said by me1212 :
If there is ever a market for it it may come back.
Same speeds as ADSL, in the kilobit range. Satellite and 3G are similar if not slightly faster.
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Bit @ 15th Apr 03:57PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Private venture groups could never deploy in this environment. Cable operators and incumbent telcos would simple go to politicians, bribe them and get them blocked from deployment just like they do with the munis.
Anyone who thinks "anyone can deploy" is naive.
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axiomatic @ 15th Apr 03:59PM:
Asshattery
Man there is "I'll do what I want with my network" then there is Time Warners "Not only will I do what I want with my network and I'll rape your wallet in the process. And then tell you that you're supposed to like this."
Unconscionable in my opinion there Time Warner. You guys are really bad.
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chronoss2009 @ 15th Apr 04:03PM:
and back to net neutrality
they succeeded in getting you to talk about what?
NOT about neutrality BUT alternatives HA THEY GOT YA.
A campaign to shut off for the summer might just work or say 4 months EN MASS.
THAT will lesson revenues even if 20% did so.
YOUR USA market is much larger and thus much more able to affect this kind of THREAT.
WHY NOT?
WHAT have we to lose?
THEY are the ones that WANT OUR MONEY?
IF they want it give us WHAT WE WANT.
ELSE go take cash elsewhere enjoy what you have , go party, go camping enjoy the summer.
FRAK THEM.
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KrK @ 15th Apr 04:04PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
It's a closed market, and as CLEC's have shown, it's VERY VERY tough to break into the closed market. It's not just the redtape, but the fact you don't have access to easements and rights of ways like the incumbents do.
Even if you had the money, they are going to block you at every turn from deploying, and the city and residents don't want you tearing up their streets or property for nothing. They expect compensation, upfront, and your network isn't even built and won't turn a profit for a long time--- assuming you can get through the red tape and the lawsuits.
And lets say you spent billions and finally greased all the palms, paid all the property owners, and finally got the network up and running---- Then and only then your incumbent carriers will literally GIVE AWAY their services to undercut you to make sure you fail. They have shown time and time again in areas where citizens insist on building their own networks and stuff that they will undercut and dump their services on the market cheap in order to drive the newcomer under.....
... then they return to the status quo.
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
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S_engineer @ 15th Apr 04:05PM:
Re: lets charge overages for digital cable
hey, this is applicable to another front page story....
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El Quintron @ 15th Apr 04:07PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Ya you'd think they could get better value for their dollar at that rate...
I guess this is why they stoop to these tactics rather than compete.
--
Working to bring you closer to a Bell and Rogers free household.
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ropeguru @ 15th Apr 04:15PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
I think we all need to petition hottboiinnc's provider to start charging him $2.50 per KB. Then when he complains we can tell HIM to build his own network.
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Bit @ 15th Apr 04:36PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by KrK :
And lets say you spent billions and finally greased all the palms, paid all the property owners, and finally got the network up and running---- Then and only then your incumbent carriers will literally GIVE AWAY their services to undercut you to make sure you fail. They have shown time and time again in areas where citizens insist on building their own networks and stuff that they will undercut and dump their services on the market cheap in order to drive the newcomer under.....
... then they return to the status quo.
This is true. We saw Comcast engage in illegal predatory pricing more than once. In one instance on the side of town where Comcast didn't face muni competition TV and HSI was $97. On the side of town where they face muni competition they cut the price to $52...yeah, $52 for both digital cable AND HSI and the deal was good for 16 months. No where else did Comcast offer this illegal discount.
»Comcast Vs. Utopia
»'Discounted' Competition
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caddyroger @ 15th Apr 04:36PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Can I come over and borrow your can for a month and you pay for the gas insurance car payments and oil change.
--
Caddy
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me1212 @ 15th Apr 04:39PM:
Re: Once given up...
Yes, but if it would not have a cap and the only other option was the 40gb cap from TW, which would u take?
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vinnie97 @ 15th Apr 04:49PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Amen, amen.
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hayabusa3303 @ 15th Apr 05:03PM:
RR and news lately
It used to be all about comcast and now the tables have turned once more to Tw.
Tw either likes the news ALOT or they need ALOT of disconnects to get the idea.
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Anonymous_ @ 15th Apr 05:10PM:
Re: lets charge overages for digital cable
said by patcat88 :
Why don't we put GB caps on the amount of Digital Cable/Mpeg2 transport stream you can watch per month? HD will eat your bucket faster unless you watch an "economy HD" stream (most are anyways right now :D).
The cable boxes already record and send back ever remote press you do and what you watch to headquarters for data mining. Charging digital cable by the GB would be as easy as pie. $1 a GB, which is about 45 mins of SDTV.
that is my idea i going to sue you
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patcat88 @ 15th Apr 05:16PM:
Re: Once given up...
40GB = 128kbit/s 24/7, same as ISDN, or DSL on a very bad day.
100 GB is around 350kbps.
Hmm, I would take BPL, but BPL would have even more congestion than DOCSIS. A couple mbps per bandwidth pool, vs 38 per bandwidth pool. So BPL is more likely to get caps than cable.
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boombie @ 15th Apr 05:49PM:
This can not be posted enough
Here's the reason for TW's caps, from their 10-K report,
"Technological advancements, such as video on demand, new video formats and Internet streaming and downloading, have increased the number of media and entertainment choices available to consumers and intensified the challenges posed by audience fragmentation. The increasing number of choices available to audiences could negatively impact not only consumer demand for the Companys products and services, but also advertisers willingness to purchase advertising from the Companys businesses. If the Company does not respond appropriately to further increases in the leisure and entertainment choices available to consumers, the Companys competitive position could deteriorate, and its financial results could suffer."
»ir.timewarner.com/secfiling.c...···-09-1481
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patcat88 @ 15th Apr 05:52PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by ropeguru :
I think we all need to petition hottboiinnc's provider to start charging him $2.50 per KB. Then when he complains we can tell HIM to build his own network.
Oh come on, first class mail is cheaper at 2KB per 1 side of 8x11 paper.
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anon @ 15th Apr 09:53PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
in some circles this is called a fallacy.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 06:04PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
You must not have heard of Wireless using Moto Canopy? Many WISPs here on this board did that. Most use other equipment so you can't claim red tape. Just another person on here claiming that its not possible.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 06:05PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
In Ohio you can. All it takes is $2000 and you can install what you want.
But then again you should know this since it was posted on here back when ATT changed the laws.
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ropeguru @ 15th Apr 06:05PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by patcat88 :said by ropeguru :
I think we all need to petition hottboiinnc's provider to start charging him $2.50 per KB. Then when he complains we can tell HIM to build his own network.
Oh come on, first class mail is cheaper at 2KB per 1 side of 8x11 paper.
Maybe so, but remember that it is their network and they can do with it whatever they want.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 06:06PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
That's google. Hell I would have done the same with Google as much bullshit they do. Can't use Google Voice for voicemail but yet they market the product for that? Com'on.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 06:07PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
If they don't provide you service then who is going to? Comcast so they can do the same? Maybe they can just up and rip the cables out of the city and leave ya sit without shit.
And by the way since when is it a law that says what they have to give you and how they have to give it? I don't remember seeing that one.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 06:09PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
barrow my can? no sorry. they went to the city to be recycled.
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hottboiinnc @ 15th Apr 06:10PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
That's right. Mr. Block's family members built the network on their own dime. Not the cities nor states or anyone elses. And why would they cap me? ATT already does that it just gives them more power over them. Besides NOT being Union and offering better service and lower rates.
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mod_wastrel @ 15th Apr 07:08PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Actually, "you"--as in every customer of the franchise did pay for it. The amount of profit, let alone revenue, generated from customers has many-times-over paid for "their" network. But you're right: you aren't "required" to use their service (and you aren't required to access the Internet). However, you may be required to pay for its support by way of your tax dollars going to the franchise (though you can expect most of that money will go into the pockets of executives and investors--which one are you?).
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jjeffeory @ 15th Apr 07:38PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Those two services are sooooo laughable. LOLOLOLOLOL
You're joking right? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Sorry, It's just so funny that you used those two companies as an example for high speed internet and caps...
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jjeffeory @ 15th Apr 07:39PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Franchises & USF.
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Bit @ 15th Apr 07:45PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Since forever. You don't think business practices including predatory pricing and antitrust isn't regulated? Never heard of Microsoft?
The gov't isn't going to tell them what flavor water to have in their cafeteria but they can certainly investigate them suddenly instituting caps with the obvious goal of controlling online video competition or blackmailing content providers into paying a bounty to reach their customers.
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Bit @ 15th Apr 07:46PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
I like this idea. Then lease the lines to competing content providers. So you can buy service from Comcast, Time Warner, DSL Extreme or whoever you want.
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Bit @ 15th Apr 07:48PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
If you want to pay a rental fee like I do to the ISP absolutely and I'll be subject to rules and regulations just like every other rental company including price gouging and abusing market position.
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funchords @ 15th Apr 07:48PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
They can do what they want with THEIR network. You are free to build your own and service customers the way you want. Nobody is making you use TWC or any other carrier.
The lack of competition forces me to use a particular network.
I just finished a move from Hillsboro, Oregon to Washington, DC. My broadband choices in both places: Verizon DSL or Comcast.
--
Robb Topolski -= funchords.com =- World Traveller -- KJ7RL
... Do something! ...
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Bit @ 15th Apr 07:49PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
If they don't want to sell their products on their merits instead of market position abuse let them surrender their franchises.
Perhaps it's time these ISPs are regulated like public and private utilities so they have to pass these increases only after PUC approval.
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Bit @ 15th Apr 07:50PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
And if you were to try and start a 3rd provider, both Verizon and Comcast would litigate you into the ground while bribing politicians to make whatever you are planning illegal.
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bigjoesmith @ 15th Apr 08:39PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
If you think anyone is free to just start stringing wires on telephone poles, go ahead, give it a shot. You won't get very far.
This is an illustration of how New York looked in the late 19th century when, in fact, anyone could build their own network. Lots of startup phone companies, all stringing their own wire. Telephone poles had dozens of cross bars. It soon became clear that this wasn't going to work: ungainly, uggggly, and lots of duplicated work. It was recognized that the wiring of a city is an example of what is called a natural monopoly. In recognition of this fact, locations granted a single company the right to wire that city...this lead to the Ma Bell monopoly. In exchange for the right to build and own the network (and limits on who could compete...nowdays called a franchise), there were certain restrictions placed on the monopoly company.
The modern situation has not changed that much. The nature of the network is different (it's all about data now and not circuit switched telephone networks), but the natural monopoly still exists in some form (in many locations it's a duopoly: ILEC and cable franchise).
It's clearly within the public's right to impose certain conditions on any grant of a license to operate a franchise. To say that it's the companies' network to do with as they see fit is wrong, ignorant of history and the legal environment within which these companies operate.
[edit to correct "18th century" with "19th century".]
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jebba2005 @ 15th Apr 10:34PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
"This is an illustration of how New York looked like in the late 18th century when, in fact, anyone could build their own network. Lots of startup phone companies, all stringing their own wire."
So what were the wires used for in the late 1700's?
If it is the late 19th century, how about a real pic?
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KrK @ 15th Apr 10:44PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
In Ohio you can. All it takes is $2000 and you can install what you want.
But then again you should know this since it was posted on here back when ATT changed the laws.
Nonsense. AT&T pushed specifically to keep CLEC's out of RT's and DSLAMS.
You could put Equipment in a CO, but that's the extent of your build out.
--
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
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bigjoesmith @ 16th Apr 04:01AM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Right. Correction, late 19th century (1800's). I've seen real pictures with the massively stacked telephone poles, but I couldn't find one quickly. The illustration is not far off.
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anon @ 16th Apr 07:15AM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Only problem with that is that they (TW et al) wont let you build your own.
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tmc8080 @ 16th Apr 06:19AM:
duopoloy & the law
what most people miss out on infact is cable companies have become telecommunications companies on par with telco. the modern infrastructure is essentially digital and the same. once fiber & cablemodem replace powered-up copper-- we are in a whole new territory from the old BELL system. thus, new franchises & regulations about rate changes should begin to fall under state PUC's-- including substantial changes in terms of service a-la metered billing. cable companies have been so unregulated for so long (when it comes to voip & internet) that unless cable-tv bills were doubling overnight.. the PUC's were sort of satisfied with giving cable companies a nod & wink every time the service went up 2-10%. stricter regulation about broadband rates should apply across the duopoly spectrum. i'm also for getting rid of legacy taxes & fees on POTS service... very few people are willing to pay for such a service nowadays, so government will have to look elsewhere for that revenue
at least 40% of broadband connections link to major cities & suburbs in the last mile. if cable companies think they can get away with gouging the customer.. then maybe they'd like it much better if there were a 3rd wire/provider thrown into the mix that eat up enough market share to keep the duopoloy hungry for customers. there are many ways to get the likes of comcast & time warner competing again, this is but one set of ideas.
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moonpuppy @ 16th Apr 08:00AM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by hottboiinnc :
That's google. Hell I would have done the same with Google as much bullshit they do. Can't use Google Voice for voicemail but yet they market the product for that? Com'on.
So anyone can setup their own network unless it is someone you don't like? :uhh:
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funchords @ 16th Apr 09:49AM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Can someone identify/source this image? I want to use it in future projects.
NM, found it! And it's in the public domain! It's listed in the Book of Old New York. Henry Collins Brown. 1913.
Fascinating article is here.
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Skippy25 @ 16th Apr 10:37AM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Wait, I am confused..... so in one post you argue cable built their network all by them self and didnt have any "incentives or benefits" so it is "theirs". Then in this post you argue they were granted a monopoly because it was the only way to get it going back then.
So which is it? They either did it all by them self, or they were "given" a revenue stream to make their company capable of deploying the service and expanding and thus become the PoS monopoly / duopoly they are.
Once you figure that one out, then you can explain to the rest of us how it was they needed to be given this incentive to create the original networks, but yet you now claim just anybody can come on in to this industry without these benefits to create competition. So in the beginning when there was no competition it was harder to get going than now when there is already a duopoly / monopoly AND competition?
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ElJay @ 16th Apr 11:27AM:
Re: This can not be posted enough
Time Warner: Greedily clinging onto a business model that doesn't exist anymore.
Thanks for the idea. It's a very interesting read to open up their 10-K/annual report and search for "technological" in it.
quote:
"The Networks and Filmed Entertainment segments must continue to adapt their content to changing viewership habits in order to remain competitive. If they cannot adapt to the changing lifestyles and preferences of consumers and capitalize on technological advances with favorable business models, it could have a negative impact on their businesses."
"[T]echnological developments that enable third-party owners of programming to bypass traditional content aggregators, such as the Turner networks and Home Box Office, and deal directly with cable system and other content distributors could place limitations on the ability of the segments to distribute their content that could have an adverse impact on their revenue."
"[T]echnological advances and product innovations have increased and will likely continue to increase the number of alternatives available to TWCs customers from other providers and intensify the competitive environment."
"Advertising expenditures by companies in certain sectors of the economy, including the automotive, financial services, pharmaceutical, retail, telecommunications and food and beverage industries, represent a significant portion of the Companys advertising revenues, and any political, economic, social or technological change resulting in a significant reduction in the advertising spending of these or other sectors could further adversely affect the Companys advertising revenues or its ability to maintain or increase such revenues."
"Several of the Companys businesses operate in industries that are subject to rapid technological change, and if Time Warner does not respond appropriately to technological changes, its competitive position may be harmed." (Emphasis Time Warner)
...and it goes on and on...
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EGeezer @ 16th Apr 12:07PM:
Re: Building out our own network - great idea
said by hottboiinnc :
... They sued when it started to come down to tax-payer money. You have choices, I have choices, if you don't like the choices, change providers or BUILD OUT your own network. And thanks to VZ fiber is getting cheaper.
EXCELLENT! That's just what we as a community should be able to do without some outsiders sticking their noses in our local home rule government.
Our community has local government owned and controlled schools, water, sewer, streets, traffic control, emergency medical services, street lighting, law enforcement and fire protection. We also spend taxpayer money to build out this infrastructure and capacity to attract and retain businesses and encourage residential growth.
So, it should be our choice if we as taxpayers want to include internet infrastructure in our package of public services for our schools libraries and public facilities, and to attract and protect business, residential and economic growth.
VZ fiber hasn't made one whit of a difference here, since they aren't and won't be here in the foreseeable future. So, we should have the right to use our own local tax money to build our own services without you folks telling us how to run our community and spend our tax money.
--
The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding. -- Justice Louis D. Brandeis
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wstcvnaca @ 16th Apr 12:34PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
said by mod_wastrel :
Actually, "you"--as in every customer of the franchise did pay for it. The amount of profit, let alone revenue, generated from customers has many-times-over paid for "their" network. But you're right: you aren't "required" to use their service (and you aren't required to access the Internet). However, you may be required to pay for its support by way of your tax dollars going to the franchise (though you can expect most of that money will go into the pockets of executives and investors--which one are you?).
AMEN to that!!!
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bigjoesmith @ 16th Apr 04:26PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
Good find. That article is fascinating, indeed.
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anon @ 16th Apr 04:49PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
To the contrary. TWC is the only provider available in a lot of areas. they have done everything in their power to keep competing companies out... I can only get TWC in my area if I want Cable. I am stuck with DSL atm, because TWC tells me it would be 6k to run a line to my house, and there are no other providers other than crappy phones...
So, most are forced to use their network. Also, the idea that this is for QoS is ridiculous. They just need to upgrade their network to compete with that of Japan! Seriously... 100mbps on average, where as we get about 3 on average... its pathetic.
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Simba7 @ 16th Apr 11:59PM:
Re: Now isn't the time...
If you really want to complain, look at Hong Kong.
»www.hkbn.net/index_e.htm
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