tyspeed29
Premium
join:2001-01-04
Simi Valley, CA
clubs:
1 edit | Lets Vote on this......
We need this standard in every county, and state for that matter. It would eliminate our headache broadband cable slowing issues when the ISP over subcribes customers, that do not get the bandwith that they pay for. |
|
JTRockville
Data Ho
Premium,MVM
join:2002-01-28
Rockville, MD
clubs:
 ·LINGO
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
 ·surpasshosting
 ·Verizon FIOS
2 edits | Actually, the measure of bandwidth has been removed from the legislation. Remember: this is just the first baby-step! This legislation simply insures the phone will be answered in a timely fashion, and that repairs will be completed in a timely fashion. These standards are already in place for cable service. Classification of cable modem service seems to be in flux, so this legislation will protect consumers in the meantime. |
|
JTRockville
Data Ho
Premium,MVM
join:2002-01-28
Rockville, MD
clubs: |  A Solution in Search of a Problem?
Anyone who's ever tried to get a cable modem issue resolved in Montgomery County Maryland knows exactly what the problem is. No searching is necessary. |
|
Dewi
Premium
join:2001-09-28
united kingd | reply to JTRockville
Re: Lets Vote on this......
I would welcome such a measure in my county. The last repair I had, took Charter 4 Days to fix my cable service (everything was out, cable and internet). I might have to print this article out, and mail it to the county commissioner. |
|
Dragasoni
We're All Mad Here
Premium
join:2001-12-14
Rotonda West, FL
| Excellent Idea!
I'm all for this, and I think it's very reasonable to both the user and the ISP. 1 Megabit down and 95% up-time of mail servers is not too much to ask. This could be easily achieved in my opinion.
-Dragasoni-
--
»www.dragasoni.com |
|
Smoka
@ptd.net | If they want guarantees, get a T1. Cable service cannot be guaranteed. |
|
Voyager2K2
join:2001-10-04
Wayne, PA
·Verizon FIOS
| It Won't Work
It won't work.
I recall the attempts at forcing Adelphia to get it's act together during the Regis' days in the Philadelphia, PA area. Try to force a cable giant to do anything and it's off to court.
None of these cable companies are going to let a precedent happen that could cost them millions.
I hope your legal coffers are full Montgomery County, MD.
Your little plan is going to put a strain on them. |
|
JTRockville
Data Ho
Premium,MVM
join:2002-01-28
Rockville, MD
clubs: | reply to Smoka
Re: Excellent Idea!
No one expects T1-style guarantees. That's not what this legislation is about. |
|
vic102482
Premium
join:2002-04-30
Upper Marlboro, MD
| reply to JTRockville
Re: A Solution in Search of a Problem?
said by JTRockville  :
Anyone who's ever tried to get a cable modem issue resolved in Montgomery County Maryland knows exactly what the problem is. No searching is necessary.
And it sucks because Montgomery county is a huge money maker for Comcast.
--
I tie a rope around my penis and jump from a tree, don't you wanna grow up to be just like me!!!! |
|
davebenham
join:2002-01-31
Round Lake, IL
4 edits | Oh goodie, uncle Sam to the rescue
We're not talking about some inalienable right, we're talking about broadband service for crying out loud. But it seems when ever whiny people don't get what they want, especially a lot of people in these forums, they expect uncle Sam to come in and fix everything. I can't download my porn and mp3s 24/7, my ISP won't let me download 50GB+ per month, my email account isn't up 100% of the time, tech support stinks, I had to wait a week to resolve a problem, yada yada yada.
I've got a solution, you don't like your ISP's service, then drop them. If it turns out a lot of people really don't like your ISP, start your own company, do a better job, and make lots of money. I've got news for you all, life goes on without broadband access. |
|
dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio
 ·Verizon Online DSL
·Verizon FIOS
| said by davebenham :
I've got a solution, you don't like your ISP's service, then drop them. If it turns out a lot of people really don't like your ISP, start your own company, do a better job, and make lots of money.
This would be all well and good, except that cable companies typically have a monopoly in any one location, granted to that company for a period of time. Thus if you don't like the service you get from your cable co., you can't do much except wait for contract renewal and then campaign to vote them out.
So I think it pretty reasonable that the granting of a monopoly right should require reciprocal service guarantees. One can debate whether the service guarantees should be mandated a the federal level rather than local, but I prefer standardization from the point of view of consistency and predictability, so I see nothing wrong with federal rules - particularly since cable companies tend to be large national businesses, these days. |
|
JTRockville
Data Ho
Premium,MVM
join:2002-01-28
Rockville, MD
clubs:
·LINGO
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·surpasshosting
·Verizon FIOS
1 edit |  Extra Extra! This Just in!
This was just released by Councilmember Praisner.
said by Montgomery County Council Press Release:
From the Office of Councilmember Marilyn Praisner
For Immediate Release July 7, 2004
Contact: Joy Nurmi 240-777-7953 or Bobbi Walton 240-777-7983
COUNCIL COMMITTEE REJECTS BID TO WEAKEN PROTECTIONS FOR CABLE MODEM CUSTOMERS
The County Council’s Management & Fiscal Policy Committee on Tuesday afternoon soundly rejected amendments favored by Comcast that would undermine proposed customer service protections for cable modem customers in the County.
“Montgomery County is about to be the first local jurisdiction to put in place customer service standards for companies that provide cable modem service,” said Councilmember Marilyn Praisner, who chairs the committee. “These standards will protect cable modem customers by requiring companies to address problems in a timely fashion – or face penalties. The standards are modest and reasonable, but apparently aren’t lenient enough for Comcast. That’s just too bad. If it’s a choice between serving consumers or big business, I’ll choose cable consumers any day of the week.”
“Cable modem customers aren’t organized,” added Councilmember Phil Andrews. “They depend on us to stand up for them – and not to ‘jump’ when Comcast lobbyists say ‘jump.’ If the County Council and the County Executive betray their trust to County consumers – many of whom depend on cable modem service to telework or work from home -- then shame on us. The County Executive’s flip-flop on this issue is just awful.”
The proposed Executive Regulation was first approved by the Committee some weeks ago, with the support of the County Executive, the County Cable Office, and the County Attorney. On Tuesday, June 29, just as the full Council prepared to vote on the measure, amendments favored by Comcast that had already been rejected by the Committee were put forward and the vote delayed. The County Executive’s office now says they are in favor of the Comcast-supported amendments they had earlier rejected.
“This 11th-hour attempt to put Comcast’s interests over those of County cable modem customers should be rejected,” said Councilmember Praisner. “Let’s move ahead to be the first local jurisdiction to give cable modem customers some assurances that they’ll get what they pay for.”
The regulation will come before the full Council again on July 13.
|
|
SOCOR
join:2004-07-07
Shawmut, MT
| reply to davebenham
Re: Oh goodie, uncle Sam to the rescue
"If we don't like our ISP's drop them"... hmm that's great advice for the many people who only have 1 choice for broadband provider. Drop them and go back to dial-up? Or, start our own company? Ok, tell me how much money it costs to start up that kind of company. How many people do you think can pony up that kind of cash?
Why is it a crime to expect reliable service?
Having some sort of guideline for the cable companies to follow insures that we can all expect the services we pay for. Without some regulatory body, these companies can offer shoddy service and still charge us full price. I don't know about you, but when I pay for something, I expect to get what I paid for. |
|
JTRockville
Data Ho
Premium,MVM
join:2002-01-28
Rockville, MD
clubs:
·LINGO
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·surpasshosting
·Verizon FIOS
3 edits | reply to dave
said by dave :
Thus if you don't like the service you get from your cable co., you can't do much except wait for contract renewal and then campaign to vote them out.
Even that's not as easy do to as it may seem! It's illegal to deny renewal of a franchise, unless one of these circumstances apply. I'm not aware of any franchise agreement that was denied renewal under this process, and I think it might even be impossible without a vehicle in place to measure performance. Montgomery County MD's legislation would provide such a vehicle.
said by Barry Orton, Professor of Telecommunications at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in the Home News Tribune article "Edison hasn't enough grounds to quit Cablevision":
Refusing to renew a contract, however, can take place under four sets of circumstances, he said.
Under federal law, the cable company must have "substantial noncompliance" with the existing contract; unreasonably bad service, such as fraud or unresponsiveness to consumer complaints; not be able to meet a municipality's needs; or make an unreasonable contract proposal.
Why should Uncle Sam only come to the rescue of gigantic cable companies? |
|
hottboiinnc
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH | reply to Smoka
Re: Excellent Idea!
For what cable modem service price is a T1 should not be required to keep a set speed you pay for. |
|
dave
Premium,MVM
join:2000-05-04
not in ohio | reply to JTRockville
Re: Oh goodie, uncle Sam to the rescue
said by law:
unreasonably bad service
As compared to the bad service we may 'reasonably' expect to get, no doubt. |
|
garagerock
Premium
join:2002-06-14
Louisville, KY
| reply to davebenham
said by davebenham :
We're not talking about some inalienable right, we're talking about broadband service for crying out loud. But it seems when ever whiny people don't get what they want, especially a lot of people in these forums, they expect uncle Sam to come in and fix everything. I can't download my porn and mp3s 24/7, my ISP won't let me download 50GB+ per month, my email account isn't up 100% of the time, tech support stinks, I had to wait a week to resolve a problem, yada yada yada.
I've got a solution, you don't like your ISP's service, then drop them. If it turns out a lot of people really don't like your ISP, start your own company, do a better job, and make lots of money. I've got news for you all, life goes on without broadband access.
Wow, great logic.
Next time you're in a hospital or clinic, be glad that someone gives a shit enough to regulate their activities in regards to medical waste, antiseptic conditions, doctor ethics, prescription guidelines...the list goes on. What's that? There's only one hospital in your area? Too bad! Go find another one, four counties over! Wait, start your OWN hosptial! I've got news for you-life goes on without good hospitals!
If it were up to the almighty company at the head of any hospital, they'd cut corners to the bare minimum-leaving patients in filthy, barely lit cesspools staffed by junior high dropouts.
Without regulations, cable co.'s can do the same thing-cut it to the bare minimum.
It isn't unreasonable to demand good service, especially with cable co's. that get monopoly status. Anyone read any Economics 101? |
|
kraughl
join:2002-08-18
Woodburn, OR
clubs:
| Step in right direction
This is a step in the right direction. I live in a city where it is either Qwest or Comcast. I have opted for Qwest because ever since the 3mb upgrade i have had nothing but problems. I would have liked there to have been something like this in place when I was having issues. I might still have cable, because this would have forced Comcast to fix the problem or get fined. I agree that we should get what we pay for. Comcast cannot provide the service they are charging for reliably. So DSL is what I have. The cable companies need to be regulated just like the telcos. Comcast needs to start getting fined for their shoddy service and horrific tech support and customer service. |
|
jap
Premium
join:2003-08-10
038xx
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| reply to Voyager2K2
Re: It Won't Work
Voyager, me thinks your stance on this is too cynical and out of context: BB reality has changed tremendously since John Regis' flouting of govt efforts & pub perception.
With rapidly increasingly overlapped coverage areas the established providers gotta clean-up their act just to retain market share. The additional bad blood with & bad press from local governments alone now prompts providers to change their practices. These companies won't, of course, change overnight - but in much of the country they'll have to change just to survive. Montgomery County's effort may not have to result in functional legislation to effectively get providers to shape-up. |
|
davebenham
join:2002-01-31
Round Lake, IL
| reply to SOCOR
Re: Oh goodie, uncle Sam to the rescue
'I expect to get what I paid for.' I don't think you expect to get what you pay for, otherwise why would you continue to pay for unreliable service from your current ISP? I know, I know, they're the only provider in town, but we're not talking about gas or electricity, broadband internet is hardly a necessity. So, apparently, they have a product, which is deemed by many to be of poor quality, but they are still the only ones providing it. If you are willing to take it and keep handing over your hard earned cash for it, then apparently this ISP is offering something that actually is pretty valuable.
We both want reliable and fast broadband access. You want the government to step in and create laws to guarantee service quality, I would prefer that economic forces and competition be the driving force.
I'd trust a a private company and economic forces to solve this problem any day over the government regulations. Government has no incentive to do anything correctly or efficiently, a corporation has a unavoidable and built-in responsibility to the consumer. If a government does something wrong, citizens are often too ignorant and have too short an attention span to wait to the next election and and fix the problem. When a corporation does something wrong, people take their money and go elsewhere, then the corporation goes out of business. |
|
