rdmiller
join:2005-09-23
Richmond, VA | Where's the beef?
I don't know what to say! There's nothing here for me to get agitated about. |
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Tarheels Fan
Premium
join:2006-01-05 | And what do you suggest?
For there to be more competition you have lay your own infrastructure. Or should the gov't lay the infrastructure and run private entities out of business since they won't be able to "adapt".
You offer criticism yet no solution... |
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baineschile
2600
Premium
join:2008-05-10
Sterling Heights, MI
 ·Comcast
 ·magicjack.com
 ·Verizon Wireless B..
| reply to rdmiller
Regulation
Why should the government have to regulate TV and Broadband companies? Neither are a necessity to live (I know there will be arguments about this), but there are tons of people in the USA who dont have a TV or a computer, and do just fine.
If one of these companies step out of line, the consumers will speak with their wallets.
If we do want to classify broadband as a utility, it means it will be government owned, thus saturated and unmoving. |
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S_engineer
join:2007-05-16
Chicago, IL
·Comcast
| said by baineschile  :Why should the government have to regulate TV and Broadband companies? because the vomit they propagate ends up forming policy! |
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Network Guy
join:2000-08-25
New York
·PHONE POWER
·Broadvox Direct
 ·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to baineschile
Would you feel shafted by your elected officials if an FTC didn't exist to regulate energy companies?
Don't know about you, but I would feel pretty pissed if the electric went out every day but still paid well above energy market pricing for the utility.
Kinda the same thing with broadband. It's a good thing people no longer pay $300 per month for a 128k ISDN line as the only means to network access. |
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espaeth
Digital Plumber
Premium,MVM
join:2001-04-21
Minneapolis, MN
·voip.ms
·Vitelity VOIP
·Callcentric
·VoiceStick
·ViaTalk
·Comcast
·Embarq
1 edit | Reasonable request
"We believe consumers need to have notice and consent about what they’re getting. It’s very, very important that these providers tell consumers about the speed they’re getting, and whether (ISPs) are making any types of management decisions in terms of the network that affect consumers." In contrast to all the crap where "Net Neutrality" is used to describe "Anything I don't like about what my provider is doing," this is actually a reasonable, actionable position. |
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tdouglas22
join:2001-09-25
Memphis, TN
| reply to baineschile
Re: Regulation
said by baineschile :If we do want to classify broadband as a utility, it means it will be government owned, thus saturated and unmoving. Really? How so? If the companies were more concerned with providing the best service and less focused on the bottom line then there would be no need or desire for the government to step into this mess. |
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Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL
·Comcast
·Embarq
2 edits |  Remember!
 Unfortunately I do not hold out to much hope for reform. The problem is that Corporate America has the most Corrupt Government money can buy.
Remember last week when the dirt bags in the banking industry, paid off via campaign contributions. The Republicans and a few Democrats voted against American Citizens interests, when they voted against the bankruptcy forclosure reform bill. |
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TamaraB
Question The Current Paradigm
Premium
join:2000-11-08
Brooklyn NYC
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to baineschile
Re: Regulation
said by baineschile : ... If one of these companies step out of line, the consumers will speak with their wallets. ... This only works where there is a choice. Where I live for instance, if I want Internet, I HAVE to get it from Verizon. No other provider has "wired" my area, not even cable!
We are rapidly approaching the point where Internet is a necessity. More and more services are moving online and discontinuing their support of traditional avenues. Many employers are requiring Internet access. My friend, who works for Macys, can only get her work schedule, hours, vacation application, from the employee web site. Internet is becoming a necessity, just like electricity has.
Bob
--
"If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities." -- Voltaire
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
|  reply to espaeth
Re: Reasonable request
said by espaeth :"We believe consumers need to have notice and consent about what they’re getting. It’s very, very important that these providers tell consumers about the speed they’re getting, and whether (ISPs) are making any types of management decisions in terms of the network that affect consumers." In contrast to all the crap where "Net Neutrality" is used to describe "Anything I don't like about what my provider is doing," this is actually a reasonable, actionable position. For once, we are in absolute agreement.  |
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Big Pete 82
join:2009-01-30
Corona, CA
 ·Verizon FIOS
| reply to tdouglas22
Re: Regulation
said by tdouglas22 :said by baineschile :If we do want to classify broadband as a utility, it means it will be government owned, thus saturated and unmoving. Really? How so? If the companies were more concerned with providing the best service and less focused on the bottom line then there would be no need or desire for the government to step into this mess. Why shouldn't a company be focused on the bottom line? If a company isn't generating enough revenue, who in their right mind is going to loan them the money they need to make infrastructure investments? As evidenced by the Charter mess, the banks and stockholders quickly disappear when a company fails to make enough revenue.
Beside that point, there's no question in my mind that we need more competition. However, heavier regulation will do nothing to spur competition. The biggest question is, what can be done to spur competition in the broadband market? |
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TamaraB
Question The Current Paradigm
Premium
join:2000-11-08
Brooklyn NYC
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to Mr Matt
Re: Remember!
said by Mr Matt : ... The problem is that Corporate America has the most Corrupt Government money can buy. ... What's that called again?
"Fascism should more properly be called corporatism because it is the merger of state and corporate power." -- Benito Mussolini
Bob
--
"If we believe absurdities, we shall commit atrocities." -- Voltaire
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cableties
Premium
join:2005-01-27
·Verizon FIOS
| Not so fast...
The government can't even enforce itself, let alone take fiscal responsibility.
Look at how much FCC's Kevin Martin was a shill for the telcos and we still pay too much for communications.
The prolonged delays in the digital transition.
Legal wrangling and lobbyists. Oh my!
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Weeeeeeee! |
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Matt
Take me down to the paradise city
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
1 edit | reply to Mr Matt
Re: Remember!
said by Mr Matt :Remember last week when the dirt bags in the banking industry, paid off via campaign contributions. Those Democrats voted against American Citizens interests, when they voted against the bankruptcy forclosure reform bill. The Democrats huh?
»www.truthout.org/050109L
I think you mean the Republicans and a handful of Democrats.
A dozen Democrats joined Republicans in the 45-51 vote to scuttle the bill, which Obama had said was important to saving the economy and promised to push through Congress. |
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tdouglas22
join:2001-09-25
Memphis, TN
| reply to Big Pete 82
Re: Regulation
It's one thing to focus on the bottom line but when you do it at the cost of your customers then your doing bad business. Anyone who runs a successful business can tell you that if you do something you really want to do and you truly are focused on providing the service to your customer base, you will make LOTS of money.
Maybe they should focus on EXPANDING their networks and reaching out to the rural residents. I know it may seem cliched but if you build it out, they WILL come. |
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BF69
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
| reply to baineschile
said by baineschile :Why should the government have to regulate TV and Broadband companies? Neither are a necessity to live (I know there will be arguments about this), but there are tons of people in the USA who dont have a TV or a computer, and do just fine. If one of these companies step out of line, the consumers will speak with their wallets. Not if you only have ONE choice. |
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Big Pete 82
join:2009-01-30
Corona, CA
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to tdouglas22
said by tdouglas22 :Maybe they should focus on EXPANDING their networks and reaching out to the rural residents. I know it may seem cliched but if you build it out, they WILL come. The only way for them to do that is to have a healthy bottom line. Furthermore, maybe they will come, but there typically isn't ENOUGH of them in rural areas to make it worth the investment. |
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morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000
clubs:
·Charter Pipeline
·AT&T Southwest
| reply to baineschile
said by baineschile :If one of these companies step out of line, the consumers will speak with their wallets. which is the entire problem with a duopoly. only one real alternative and the motivation to compete on any real issue is absent.
see the problem? |
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moonpuppy
join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
·Verizon Online DSL
| reply to baineschile
said by baineschile :Why should the government have to regulate TV and Broadband companies? Neither are a necessity to live (I know there will be arguments about this), but there are tons of people in the USA who dont have a TV or a computer, and do just fine. If one of these companies step out of line, the consumers will speak with their wallets. If we do want to classify broadband as a utility, it means it will be government owned, thus saturated and unmoving. Again, what if you have only one choice.
Cable companies used to sign franchise agreements to get EXCLUSIVE rights to an area (usually an entire county.) With those rights comes a bit of responsibility.
Now, those agreements are all but gone and the cable companies now sue to keep others from coming in and some local legislators actually help them out. Should this be allowed?
People would vote with their wallets if they had a choice. In the areas where there is a choice, I can tell you people do vote. |
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tdouglas22
join:2001-09-25
Memphis, TN
| reply to Big Pete 82
said by Big Pete 82 :said by tdouglas22 :Maybe they should focus on EXPANDING their networks and reaching out to the rural residents. I know it may seem cliched but if you build it out, they WILL come. The only way for them to do that is to have a healthy bottom line. Furthermore, maybe they will come, but there typically isn't ENOUGH of them in rural areas to make it worth the investment. Depends on what method they use to expand. If land lines are not an option they could also look deeper into expanding wireless options. The tech is there but not enough investors to help it mature fast enough. |
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