I say go for it in http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r15630545 en Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:29:50 EDT Sun, 06 Dec 2009 04:29:50 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15638298 rreola86 : Wrong. The Cellco Partnership (dba Verizon Wireless) is jointly owned by Verizon (55%, as in THEY DO control it) and Vodafone PLC (45%).]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15638298 Wed, 08 Mar 2006 03:54:59 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15637819 fiberguy : Can't tell you.. it's on a 3 year lease.. the ford would have been the same. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15637819 Wed, 08 Mar 2006 00:49:08 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15634886 superht1 : :uhh:
said by scooby See Profile :

They aafdasdfasdfasfdre taking a loss on it in order to try and kill thasdfsade fdsthem jack the prices up.f
You are so paranoid and unrealistic. It's more like even lower pricing! 9.99/14.99!!!
Wakeup sheep man. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15634886 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 17:47:21 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15634282 Cod :
said by TelecomJunky See Profile :

said by djrobx See Profile :

Exactly. When Ma Bell was broken up there was pretty much only one way to place a phone call. That's absolutely not the case any longer.
Do you really? Ok you could use cellular. Oh wait, Verizon is owned by Verizon and Cingular is owned by AT&T. Those are the same companies as your local phone. Just because you move your $50 to cells instead of local phone doesn't mean the same company isn't getting it.

VoIP, although a viable alternative in the future is hampered. Can you keep your DSL and dump your local phone? Not in most areas, and even though the FCC has mandated some naked DSL, it only did so for a small 2 year period. So that leaves you with the only other option for broadband access and that's cable.

There are no choices. How do you not see that?
No choices???? Cummon man, get a grip. As much as you love to say it, there are no monopolies in voice, TV, or internet. In fact, there are multiple choices for each-

Voice:

1. Tmobile
2. Cricket Wireless
3. Nextel
4. Cingular
5. Verizon Wireless
6. Sprint
7. Slews of VOIP providers
8. Cable company voice offerings (aka digital voice)

Internet:

1. Clearwire Wireless »www.clearwire.com
2. Cable Internet
3. Directway
4. DSL

TV:

1. Satellite (2 providers)
2. OTA / free
3. Cable
4. Emerging IPTV offerings by telcos / Verizon FIOS
5. Emerging TV services over the internet still in their infancy

Definition of monopoly: In economics, a monopoly (from the Greek monos, one + polein, to sell) is defined as a persistent market situation where there is only one provider of a kind of product or service. Monopolies are characterized by a lack of economic competition for the good or service that they provide and a lack of viable substitute goods. source: »en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monopoly

By definition, there are no monopolies in these industries, period.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15634282 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 16:26:41 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15634100 dentman42 :
said by TelecomJunky See Profile :

And for those who say the ATT/SBC merger lowered DSL rates, you are so wrong. Studies show the average rates has gone up not down. The 14.95/12.95 rates are only for six months, then it jumps to $30, plus additional fees.
Get your facts straight. The 6 month promotion was for January. It's now 12.99 for 1.5/384 for 12 months or 17.99 for 3/512 for 12 months. The USF addition for my 14.99 Express package was only a little over a buck so it doesn't make for a major price increase.

I doubt that the merger had anything to do with these prices since SBC had been lowering them anyway. After the promo terms, most people have been able to re-rate with a new contract to the current promos. (I took the express package for 6 months in January and was already able to re-rate to the Pro package for 12 months with no hassle when the price dropped and I saw how good my line stats were) Whether this will continue or prices will go up, we will see. Still, 34.95 a month for 3/512 is cheaper than most cable providers for similar speeds ($10/month less than Insight with RR and "classic" tier cable).

I do think that if cable companies have to pay the franchise fee, the telcos should have to pay it as well in order to offer IPTV services comparable/competitive to cable. Personally, I'll stick with the analog broadcast that cable offers over the one-channel-at-a-time-on-demand that IPTV (or digital cable channels) would offer.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15634100 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 16:00:52 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15633742 wifi4milez :
said by TelecomJunky See Profile :

said by djrobx See Profile :

Exactly. When Ma Bell was broken up there was pretty much only one way to place a phone call. That's absolutely not the case any longer.
Do you really? Ok you could use cellular. Oh wait, Verizon is owned by Verizon and Cingular is owned by AT&T. Those are the same companies as your local phone. Just because you move your $50 to cells instead of local phone doesn't mean the same company isn't getting it.

VoIP, although a viable alternative in the future is hampered. Can you keep your DSL and dump your local phone? Not in most areas, and even though the FCC has mandated some naked DSL, it only did so for a small 2 year period. So that leaves you with the only other option for broadband access and that's cable.

There are no choices. How do you not see that?
You are incorrect. Verizon wireless is owned by Vodafone, NOT Verizon. While Verizon does own a non-controlling portion of Verizon Wireless, the two are completely independent. As for VoIP, you do not need naked DSL or even "regular" DSL to use it. The largest VoIP provider in the US is not even a telco at all, it is Time Warner; a cable company. We have more choices now than ever before. To say otherwise is silly and uninformed!
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Now THATS superfluous!!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15633742 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 15:17:33 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15633442 odreian615 : ok I see what you are saying but why would Att sit on their hands while Verizon another telco is offering speed up to 35mps wouldnt ATT customers be mad and switch to their local cablecos]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15633442 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 14:43:13 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15632654 sharksfan3 :
said by fiberguy See Profile :

The Dodge was a bit more expensive, however I got twice the truck for about $50 more a month. If I went with the Ford, I would have saved $50 but I would not have had the nicer interior, the better rims and tires, and all around trim package.
Make sure to check back in 5 years and let us know how that dodge is treating you :D]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15632654 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 13:10:00 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15632254 fiberguy : I guess Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile and Virgin doesn't exist? Or did you not know about the other providers?

As for VoIP, I will NEVER consider them a viable choice. Since those providers are nothing more than internet appliances and those options can't control ANY LEVEL of quality on their services, they can't be considered in the big game of things unless government cares to step in and label them a serious option and regulate packet quality for those services. Until then, they can't be put into the mix. They also have to go through one of the two main players - CABLE or DSL which are the two players in phone.

Sure, there are cell phones, but at this point and time, land lines still dominate the field and we are talking about home phone service - not mobile celluar that people somehow seem to put into the same category. (For the record, if cellular service is such an option at home, please tell me why so many of my friends that have cellular as their only home phone have to leave their lower level in their house and go up stairs to make their calls.)]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15632254 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 12:21:34 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15632217 fiberguy :
In addition, the phone monopolies seem to ignore that Video competition already exists over the entire country and it has done next to nothing on cable tv rates. Every person already has access to 4 different TV options: cable, direcTV, dishNet, and free over the air. Yet prices remain high for cable. Bell entering the market will do nothing for prices as well.
You say six, I say half a dozen.

You are right, Dish, DirecTV, and over the air IS cheaper than cable. You also get less for less money from the other services than cable.

You look at the bottom line price, I look at what I get for the money I spend. Cable may package more together to justify charging more and people don't like that, but I do realize that I am getting ALOT more for my cable dollar than I do for my satellite dollar. Don't even try to compare over the air service - that's plain silly.

Whate Satellite has done to the landscape is offerd a service at a price level that people want over Cable TV. That's what the sat competition has done and it's a good thing. I want all the bells and whistles that cable can give like OnDemand, the analog option for extra televisions, and a very fast internet connection and will pay the price for it. Others want low budget, slower internet and just a good set of digital channels for a lower price because it fits their needs.

Viewing the landscape on price alone does tend to show the lack of knowledge in the industry. Not everyone cares about price alone. Many people still care about "value" for their dollar spent.

Look at two cars - you can compare car classes between the ford and chevy lines. One may have a lower sticker price than the other more expensive one. I bought a 2005 Dodge Ram 4x4 Quad Cab. I WAS looking at the comparable Ford F150 truck. The Dodge was a bit more expensive, however I got twice the truck for about $50 more a month. If I went with the Ford, I would have saved $50 but I would not have had the nicer interior, the better rims and tires, and all around trim package. It was the value that I went for, not price. Some, however, WOULD have went for the $50 savings and been happy.

Point made.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15632217 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 12:16:01 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15632136 fiberguy :
said by odreian615 See Profile :

twhen SBC merged with att dsl prices dropped maybe dsl after this will be 9.99 a month
When did the price of DSL drop again? They have 'special offers' for 'new customers' out there for cheap, but I wouldn't say that the purchase 'dropped the price of dsl' - especially if you look at the reason why they are dropping the price.

The introductory price specials are not in place to keep prices low. The IP was to attract customers away from dial up and cable users in order to keep them as "a captive auduence" so that phone could roll out new services. once a customer is captive, they are less likely to switch or move to another service provider"... those are the words from the big dog himself.

No favors, nothing innovative, no new or dropped prices. They even made it harder on round two to get the new price stating it was an 'online price for new customers only - get it through the web' - why? Because they could guide the sign up process for NEW CUSTOMERS only and remove the ability for people to call in and asl (though people are) my point is was they wanted to make it harder and make it clear.

No favors from your local bell - sorry. ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15632136 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 12:06:35 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15631828 TelecomJunky :
said by djrobx See Profile :

Exactly. When Ma Bell was broken up there was pretty much only one way to place a phone call. That's absolutely not the case any longer.
Do you really? Ok you could use cellular. Oh wait, Verizon is owned by Verizon and Cingular is owned by AT&T. Those are the same companies as your local phone. Just because you move your $50 to cells instead of local phone doesn't mean the same company isn't getting it.

VoIP, although a viable alternative in the future is hampered. Can you keep your DSL and dump your local phone? Not in most areas, and even though the FCC has mandated some naked DSL, it only did so for a small 2 year period. So that leaves you with the only other option for broadband access and that's cable.

There are no choices. How do you not see that?
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----- »hotcarl.diaryland.com]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15631828 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 11:26:44 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15631803 TelecomJunky :
said by TKJunkMail See Profile :

You're right. The real competition isn't between telcos and never has been. And whether the merger is approved or not that won't change. The real competition is now between telcos and cable companies. That will be the real battlefield. Who cares if the BS/AT&T merger is approved.
Well, you should. AT&T(SBC) is already one of the 10 ten most profitable companies in the world, Verizon is not far behind. Cable monopolies aren't even in the ball park. By allowing the phone monopolies to recombine and become even larger more profitable unregulated giants, they will squash cable.

Cable has to negotiate franchise agreements with every city. They must continually renegotiate after each term. With the new proposed bills in states written by AT&T and Verizon to remove franchise agreements, they only do so for the phone monopolies. They do nothing for cable and force cable to continue the old slow method of franchise agreements.

In addition, the phone monopolies seem to ignore that Video competition already exists over the entire country and it has done next to nothing on cable tv rates. Every person already has access to 4 different TV options: cable, direcTV, dishNet, and free over the air. Yet prices remain high for cable. Bell entering the market will do nothing for prices as well.

And for those who say the ATT/SBC merger lowered DSL rates, you are so wrong. Studies show the average rates has gone up not down. The 14.95/12.95 rates are only for six months, then it jumps to $30, plus additional fees.
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----- »hotcarl.diaryland.com]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15631803 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 11:23:19 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15631722 shashinka : Verizon doesn't compete with AT&T in the local markets. The would be competing with wireless phone, voip, and commercial circuits. Or you might eventually be able to get AT&T DSL over Verizon POTs lines.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15631722 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 11:10:04 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15631721 kcjames1138 : "I dont think ATT will drag it's feet knowing that Verizon is laying fiber down by the mile"

Um, Verizon and AT&T do not compete with each other. They have 0 overlapping markets for local phone, LD, and Internet. AT&T could careless what Verizons high-speed plans are.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15631721 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 11:09:55 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15631604 djrobx : Exactly. When Ma Bell was broken up there was pretty much only one way to place a phone call. That's absolutely not the case any longer.
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\\ROB - a part of the SCB local network]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15631604 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 10:55:43 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15630704 TKJunkMail :
said by JamesTree See Profile :

Is it competition for telephone service that people are worried about? Well, around here, theres BellSouth, cellular (just about any provider) or some VOIP service. Whats the difference in my only traditional land line company choice being BellSouth or my only choice being AT&T or my only choice being Verizon? There are so many more options right now for voice and data that werent available 20 years ago.
You're right. The real competition isn't between telcos and never has been. And whether the merger is approved or not that won't change. The real competition is now between telcos and cable companies. That will be the real battlefield. Who cares if the BS/AT&T merger is approved.
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Join Red Room Forum
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My Web Page]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15630704 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 08:29:45 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15630681 King75 : The Verizon CEO released a statment in support of the merger but I think that is mainly because they just merged with MCI and have been looking to buy out Vodafone's share of Verizon Wireless.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15630681 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 08:23:33 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15630620 JamesTree : Is it competition for telephone service that people are worried about? Well, around here, theres BellSouth, cellular (just about any provider) or some VOIP service. Whats the difference in my only traditional land line company choice being BellSouth or my only choice being AT&T or my only choice being Verizon? There are so many more options right now for voice and data that werent available 20 years ago. I see so many posts about things regarding this being anti-competitive... Its really easy to say that. Theres already no competition for land line. What would change? Is a procalamation goin to go throughout the land stating that all must have AT&T if this goes through? Someone tell me because I must be missin somethin.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15630620 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 08:07:11 EDT Re: I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15630551 scooby : They are taking a loss on it in order to try and kill the competition. After the competition is gone watch them jack the prices up.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15630551 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 07:41:01 EDT I say go for it http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15630545 odreian615 : the cablecos will be doing this anyway(supermergers) and I dont think ATT will drag it's feet knowing that Verizon is laying fiber down by the mile plus when SBC merged with att dsl prices dropped maybe dsl after this will be 9.99 a month ]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,15630545 Tue, 07 Mar 2006 07:38:50 EDT