Re: Hopefully this forces some changes in http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r12343336 en Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:40:01 EDT Sat, 05 Dec 2009 16:40:01 EDT Re: Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12343963 SRFireside : Problem with that is it's considered predatory pricing since it's only being offered in the one area. Comcast is basically the only cable game in town next to the muni, so if Comcast is undercutting the competition with the intent of running the competition out of business that's an anti-trust violation.

It's one thing when you have true competition over extended markets, but this isn't it. Do you want to know what's going to happen once the muni is run out of business? Prices will go back up again. Probably even higher than before. This isn't the way to assure a free market. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12343963 Mon, 10 Jan 2005 13:16:53 EDT Re: Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12343394 anon : "Comcast is offering its customers a 16-month discount on a combination digital TV and high-speed Internet package that would cut its usual price of $97 a month to $52."

'nuff Said]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12343394 Mon, 10 Jan 2005 11:56:56 EDT Re: Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12343336 SRFireside : How can you say it's already happening when you said it "needs" to happen? What exactly is happening in your community?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12343336 Mon, 10 Jan 2005 11:49:22 EDT Re: Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12343062 anon : How can you say it's not working? In this community it's getting the consumers almost a 50% decrease in price.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12343062 Mon, 10 Jan 2005 11:15:42 EDT Re: Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12342853 SRFireside :
said by ProZach:

What needs to happen is the telco's and comcast need to be available to limit access to their lines, in the end they will sell access, for the right price.
That has already been proven to not work because the line holder would prefer to be the only game in town. Currently the telcos aren't being forced share their line... although they live to make it sound like they are. They agreed to it back in 1996 and are complaining now because they have competition in markets they weren't forward-thinking enough to realize.

If there is one line already in the ground I feel that line should be open to competition. It's a lot easier on the neighborhoods than having several companies dig up their yards to put in redundant lines. Personally I think the best way to do it is to have the infrastructure owners be only in business to lease their lines out and not offer services. This would keep them impartial and honest while not keeping out any conflict of interest.

Of course my idea is just as unlikely though. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12342853 Mon, 10 Jan 2005 10:43:37 EDT Re: Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12342788 anon : Actually they should not be "forced" to open their networks and neither should the telcos. The consumer benifits most with competition in the market, forcing companies to open their networks to other ISPs doesnt acomplish this, it just causes confusion on the part of the consumer and a lot of issues for both the network owner and service provider.

What needs to happen is the telco's and comcast need to be available to limit access to their lines, in the end they will sell access, for the right price. But as we're seeing in these communities other operators will come in with competing service and cause Comcast (and the telcos) to lower their rates (as we see happening here). Problem is when we get what we want ppl whine that it's not fair. Just like Walmart coming into a town, they might put some businesses out of business but in the end it's better prices for all as Walmart competes with target.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12342788 Mon, 10 Jan 2005 10:33:37 EDT Re: Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12342768 SRFireside : When "competition" becomes predatory in their business practices it's called anti-trust. If Comcast is showing itself to do these things to drive out the only competition in that area you can be sure it will be called illegal. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12342768 Mon, 10 Jan 2005 10:31:28 EDT Re: Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12340879 anon : I'm not phased by this, if a MUNI can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen... this is COMPETITON, if the services are compared apples to apples, price alone is not the determining factor, Quality of Service is. That's why people are more loyal in the long run to companies that provide a real track record of doing right by the consumer. Having a superior transmission medium (fiber) would be helpful too!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12340879 Mon, 10 Jan 2005 00:43:34 EDT Re: Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12339986 jazzy112 : News Flash:
No Multi Town Cable Operator maintains pricing throughout it's markets. Richer communities will get smacked harder because they know they won't have to worry about losing customer base to dish for asthetic reasons. Headends are not all the same throughout the markets. Service and Quality of Service is not the same throughout the markets. Therefore pricing will not be the same.

On The Flipside:
Midcontinent Communications have been dropping their prices by up to 50% to attempt to steal my customers away, while at the same time raising prices to the general public in the same community. That is about as dirty of pool as you can play.

I do agree that those massive companies should be forced to publish rates on their websites and stick to them. If they want to steal customers in one community or neighborhood they should be forced to sacrifice profits systemwide. Targeted free installs is one thing, but a recurring discount is not fair for the rest of the customers or the competition. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12339986 Sun, 09 Jan 2005 22:45:43 EDT Re: Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12334841 shimonmor : This is typical of big, greedy business. I'm a hard core conservative but I think the way big business gets away with raping the middle class is ridiculous.

So what's the solution? Well we can, as the general public, purchase our goods and service from whomever we feel would better serve our community and avoid large, faceless, "customer serviceless" companies such as Comcast or Walmart or whatever. Or we can sit on our arses and cry for government control. I suspect the latter will happen.

We had a great video rental store here in our small town and then Blockbuster moved in. Blockbuster offered lower rental fees and everyone flocked there (since it was built in a great American "strip mall" along with a Starbuck's and Pizza place). Eventually they ran the small town video store out of business. As soon the old place shut down, Blockbuster's prices shot up higher than they ever were and we were stuck crummy service.

Careful what you wish for...cheap is not always the path to happiness.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12334841 Sun, 09 Jan 2005 11:51:01 EDT Re: Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12334812 xdeadhead : well they should at the very least be forced to open their network to competitors the same way the tecos have been forced to do so. only then, when the customer has real choice for services will we begin to see in improvement in situations like this.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12334812 Sun, 09 Jan 2005 11:46:54 EDT Hopefully this forces some changes http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12334797 insomniac84 : A town next to mine got WOW to move in and they offered cheaper rates and more content than comcast. Instantly comcast matched their offerings, while not letting people where I live enjoy the same deals. Comcast should be forced to have the same rates everywhere. Although I have no faith in our government to actually help the consumer.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,12334797 Sun, 09 Jan 2005 11:43:42 EDT