Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? in http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19531394 en Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:04:22 EDT Fri, 29 Aug 2008 21:04:22 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19562342 fiberguy : The BBR definition of a Shill - 'anyone that takes a side that disagrees with your own'.. Shill.

How's that workin' for you Shill H8tr? (I'll take my warning hit now) .. you idiot!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19562342 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:47:31 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19561043 DotMac : There are a lot of industry shills on DSLR that do nothing but spout corporate PR talking points. I've found the ignore feature very useful. »Site FAQ »Ignore list, or BLOCKED users]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19561043 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 11:50:34 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19560145 CarterStClai : Is this guy for real???]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19560145 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 09:18:20 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19552559 fiberguy : So far, you've stolen talking points, danced around the issue, and failed to understand that you were never sold a tier of service with any speed.

I'm sorry, but I am not going to let you get away with, as usual around here, making up definitions to suit your needs.

You did not get sold a 10mb line. END OF STORY.

My car can do 120 on the freeway.. when testing that car out, it does 120.. therefore, the speed limit must be 120. Get real.

Enjoy your reply.. I won't read it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19552559 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 00:23:39 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19547425 CarterStClai : Fact: I wrote that I paid $49/mo for 10Mbit service. I received 10Mbit download whenever I tested the line, so that is 10Mbit service, and received it. Now I get 6Mbit service whenever I test the line. Service has degraded. You can mumbo-jumbo all you want, but I had better service when RR started. And your point is???]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19547425 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 23:33:50 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19545641 DotMac : They don't need to "go after" anyone.

They just need to change the selling rules to give customers choice in saying no to the content providers. The problem with the middlemen is that they are complicit in the channel bundling.

Give customers choice in the channels they buy and the market will do the rest. Prices will drop and programming improves as channels actually have to EARN every dollar they get rather than rely on sweetheart deals with the "middlemen".]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19545641 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:26:24 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19545562 fiberguy : No.. you' just are in a hurry to show yourself being a dork not to read.

There is a difference between a managed network with tiers of service as what we have today, and the former days where you were never sold ANY speed, rather, you just got what ever the network would give you.

So, for you to say that you 'had a 10mb line" is false.. you didn't. All you're saying is that based on the speeds you COULD get is that they offered you that so called tier.

And yes.. I stated exactly the PIECE of what you quoted...
You're claiming that RR sold 10MB service back then. Let me put this in another way for you. NO - THEY - DIDN'T! Roadrunner NEVER sold on speed! Can you hear me now? I happen to know for a fact as I was part of the RR deployment team, another part of what I said that you overlooked.

Roadrunner and even @home NEVER sold you a tier! When you 'get that' you will see what I'm saying. Your speeds we SO un guaranteed that it was a joke when the network continued to grow. Network management HAD to be put in place. Besides, you could have achieved 10MB speeds at your house, and a few streets over would have only seen 5mb. Now you getting it?

As for my example of prices on $54, $45, and $55.. what's your point? I stated facts... Those prices did and do exist. The $55 dialup, which you didn't quote the whole thing (Can you say "SPIN" - all together now.. "SPIN") forgot to include the part that "Many people used a second phone line and a $25 dial up account and could only use ON COMPUTER AT A TIME) ... I'd say that's pretty important considered I was talking about price, offering, and value.

I tell you what, Mr. I had a 10MB line back then... if you'd like that again, I'd love for you, and everyone in your area, to have that again. Come back, spend a few minutes trying to post your gripe about the slow service and tell us how that works for you.

Your first line is so incorrect it's not even funny. Please show me ONE STICK of evidence that you had a "10MB HSI Service"... until then.. you're wrong and nothing but a smart-ass. Just giving you back what you dished out.

I clarified everything.. you just babbled.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19545562 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 17:11:37 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19545299 CarterStClai : Whatever, you seem to be contradicting yourself, but I just stated that its only gone downhill from the launch. I had 10Mbit "whaterver I could get" service, now I have 6Mbit "Whatever I can get service". Thanks for clarifying nothing.

Plus you stated that most were paying "$45 for a 256mb DSL service OR were still paying about $55 for dial up", when I showed you that 10MB RR was available. Now you are saying others had 20Mbit service. Are you just arguing magical points to type or something? Bye.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19545299 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 16:20:16 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19544233 openbox9 : Sounds like the government needs to be going after the root issue (i.e. content providers) instead of nagging the middlemen, just like the other governmental examples that you provided.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19544233 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 12:37:07 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19543240 DotMac :
said by openbox9 See Profile :

The cablecos have no motivation to tell the content providers to take a hike when they can pass their costs on to consumers. I'm still failing to see the issue.
Exactly and THAT is the issue. It is my opinion, and that of many people that they need to be motivated to get their insane increases and anti-competitive (sometimes illegal) practices under control, by gov't intervention if necessary.

The gov't went after telemarkers when they got out of hand. They went after the airlines when delays were getting out of hand. They went after Microsoft. They went after insurance companies (in California anyway). It's time they do the same to these video providers who abuse their market position.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19543240 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 08:42:59 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19542751 fiberguy : Um.. I just said that.

And still, you didn't have a 10MB line.. you had "what ever you can get" line. Some people saw speeds as high as 20mb too back then. I kinda know how cable modems worked when they were first launched... not just as an end user either.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19542751 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 02:05:40 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19542405 CarterStClai : Just because you didn't have it doesn't mean I didn't. When RR was launched in San Diego, it was uncapped and close to 10Mbit. It wasn't an advertised speed, it was just what you got. And it was always fast.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19542405 Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:12:02 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19535199 fiberguy : I get my 'stats' from the truth... you didn't get a 10MB line from Road Runner - sorry.. what you got was "Get Road Runner High Speed Internet for $49.99 a month! - WOW!!" I don't recall speeds EVER being advertised back in those days.. why? Because there WERE no guaranteed speeds back then at all.... not even up-to speeds.. and no, I doubt in 1998 you were even getting 10MB either.

But anyway.. it was "get what you get" speeds.. if you were lucky, you got some good speed.. however, with NO network management what so ever on the network, you also were able to slow to a 56k speed crawl REGULARLY.

.. and for the record, I was an engineer who rolled out many HSI systems over the past 10 years... that's where I get my information.

Have a good one.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19535199 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 22:17:15 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19535005 CarterStClai :
said by fiberguy See Profile :

Even at Comcast's un-bundled $54 price tag, that's still a bargain compared to just 7 years ago when the average user paid $45 for a 256mb DSL service OR were still paying about $55 for dial up.
I don't know where you get your "stats" but 9 years ago, I was on 10MB RR for $49/mo. It wasn't unusual to get cable at full pipe-speed for 50 bucks. Then they started limiting the download speed, lowering service, and overselling nodes. Things have only gone downhill since the original cable broadband deployments.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19535005 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 21:48:06 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19534226 openbox9 : I won't argue semantics between predatory and competition.

The cablecos have no motivation to tell the content providers to take a hike when they can pass their costs on to consumers. I'm still failing to see the issue.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19534226 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:26:20 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19533559 DotMac : I cancelled cable TV (still am an RR Extreme customer and VERY happy) and went to E* (which I also ended up canceling) before this apparent NFL network war started. If true, it's a good start. If cable, telcos and DBS did this with all the channel extortionists, perhaps they could get prices into check and the FCC would no longer be interested in driving them crazy.

I have already explained why their (cable and telco) market position and tactics prevent competition (and gave numerous examples) but your RCN example is certainly a good counter-point. Unfortunately there aren't enough RCNs willing to take on that challenge. But the result from the lack of RCNs in this world shouldn't be instant carte blanche to run roughshod over customers. And as you state, adding a singular competitor doesn't help if that competitor follows the same forced bundling model. If that were the case, DBS is already in every market the cable and telcos are.

And yes, I place on ignore fanboys of all types (cable, telcos, Macs, Pee Cees, politics, consoles, etc) who demonstrate a long history of shilling and excuse making for their particular industry and constantly attack competing industries no matter how many times their claims have been debunked or counter examples have been shown. I'm open minded (so much so that I even post my displeasure with the all mighty Apple »Re: "Leopard is the New Vista, and It's Pissing Me Off" »Re: "Leopard is the New Vista, and It's Pissing Me Off") and on many occasions have had my opinions changed by reading compelling arguments here. These fanboys however will never change and rather use the forums to spout company talking points. If I want talking points I'll go to the CEOs blogs and PR mouthpieces and get them. They're certainly free to post them, but I chose to ignore them.

It's counterproductive to the discussion to entertain these few users. There are plenty of other users who are rational, objective and open minded to discuss this with even if I disagree with them and they with me.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19533559 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:23:52 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19533457 swintec :
said by DotMac See Profile :

But cable hs never (at least I've never seen an example like I have with DBS) let a channel walk or even started going to war with these content creators
The NFL Network.

In the mean time, you still didnt address the fact that any other cable company is free to come in and construct there own cable system, provided they follow the proper rules for permits.

In fact, there are several markets right now that have 2 cable companies in there neighborhood among the other options like satellite. At any rate, ask those customers in those areas how much they are actually saving by having this "competition" you keep harping on. The pricing for services in these areas are largely the same, despite the competing cable companies.

Go to RCN cables website (who's business is over building in other cable companies areas), pricing looks pretty much in line with TW prices here in my area.

Also, do you keep skipping over fiberguy See Profile posts or something? He spells things out quite clearly for you.
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BlockNews.Net- Quality Usenet Block And Unlimited Accounts]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19533457 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 17:04:16 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19533398 DotMac : Predatory pricing funds upgrades by eliminating competition which can even eliminate the need for upgrades in the first place. Once the competition is eliminated, they return to the annual 3X inflation price increases. What Comcast did was absolutely predatory.

Predatory pricing is such a serious threat to competition that its prohibition is clearly stated in the US Code. You can see that what Comcast did easily meets the definition of predatory pricing.

said by US Code :
TITLE 15 > CHAPTER 1 > § 13

§ 13. Discrimination in price, services, or facilities

Release date: 2004-05-18

(a) Price; selection of customers
It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in commerce, in the course of such commerce, either directly or indirectly, to discriminate in price between different purchasers of commodities of like grade and quality, where either or any of the purchases involved in such discrimination are in commerce, where such commodities are sold for use, consumption, or resale within the United States or any Territory thereof or the District of Columbia or any insular possession or other place under the jurisdiction of the United States, and where the effect of such discrimination may be substantially to lessen competition or tend to create a monopoly in any line of commerce, or to injure, destroy, or prevent competition with any person who either grants or knowingly receives the benefit of such discrimination, or with customers of either of them


That is EXACTLY what Comcast did. They dropped the price to below market rates (from $97 to $56)only in this specific area to eliminate a competitor while across town (so the product was certainly of like grade and quality) Comcast charged their normal high rates. That is predatory pricing and it's illegal.

»assembler.law.cornell.edu/uscode···00-.html

If Comcast ran a region wide sale at this price, or a nationwide pricing change then it's not predatory. But doing it only for 4600 people who could get the $76 service from the muni...it's absolutely predatory and illegal.

As for cable operators saying no, they certainly can. Apple did it with iTunes against the music industry. As I described in another thread, Jobs is under constant assault by the music industry to raise prices but Apple simply refuses. Some labels walk but as a result iTunes has grown into the #3 music seller behind Wal*Mart and Best Buy because of the $1 flat rate pricing scheme. If iTunes were run by a cable company there would be no a la carte music sales and a CD would be $25.

If Wal*Mart can hammer product distributers and iTunes can hammer the music industry, certainly the NCTA membership can do the same to the channel extortionists at ABC. And when ABC walks, cable runs endless commercials detailing the greed of ABC with a number to call. But cable hs never (at least I've never seen an example like I have with DBS) let a channel walk or even started going to war with these content creators (eg ABC). They are complicit in the channel bundling and blame their massive and consistent price increases on it.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19533398 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:53:29 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19533187 openbox9 : Now you've confused me. You're complaining that Comcast has the ability to whimsically raise prices yet you also have issue with "predatory pricing" (which is common practice and isn't predatory IMO). How exactly is this "predatory pricing" going to fund upgrades. And why isn't it a good thing for consumers?

The cable operators can say no to content price increases in a similar manner that customers can say no to cable TV price increases...it doesn't mean that it will happen though.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19533187 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 16:15:14 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532914 DotMac : Here's a perfect example of cable predatory pricing.

»'Discounted' Competition

As for content providers being the reason behind exponential price increases, no...cable operators could say no to the increases. I've posted on this exact subject way too many times to explain again why they could say no and win without losing customers.

»Re: a la carte can't work

Don't forget, we're not talking about turning cable and telco operations into a charity...just simple rules designed to protect consumers and stimulate competition. No different than any other industry like airlines about delays and telemarketers with the do not call lists.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532914 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:31:57 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532827 openbox9 : You keep using the term "predatory pricing". How exactly are cablecos conducting "predatory pricing"? As for video service cost increases, do you think that might be the content providers' doings and not the cablecos?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532827 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:21:16 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532780 DotMac : Yes, both telcos and cable operators take taxpayer money hand over fist.

»www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/···149.html

In this example, Comcast got $17.1 million (the biggest cut of total aid) in grants, loans and tax breaks for Comcast's Phili HQ and data center and another $30 million for public improvements around Comcast's HQ. This despite Comcast reporting profits that year of nearly $1 billion.

The telcos are even worse. Pennsylvania gave Verizon over $2 billion in similar freebees for fiber deployment THAT NEVER HAPPENED.

These businesses (video service giants) also threaten to cost taxpayer money if they don't get their way. »Louisiana Fiber and 'Economic Blackmail']]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532780 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:15:22 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532727 swintec : Cable companies received money from the government to build there networks??
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BlockNews.Net- Quality Usenet Block And Unlimited Accounts]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532727 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:07:48 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532694 DotMac : That is just the excuse of the day. These 3X inflation price increases on VIDEO services have been going on for years. What...Comcast been saving up for DOCSIS deployments? And then only to areas served by telco fiber?

They didn't raise video prices 30% in 3 years and engage in predatory pricing to fund DOCSIS deployment in FiOS territories.

If cable doesn't want to comply with the most basic consumer protection rules, they are free to not renew their franchise agreements. If telcos don't want to follow the same rules...let them give back the billions in taxpayer money they stole.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532694 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:04:20 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532665 openbox9 : I doubt it, but how is that relevant anyway? Do you seriously think any company would wait until after a new or upgraded technology is deployed before increasing revenue to cover the necessary capital expenditures?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532665 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 15:00:15 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532602 fiberguy : If you "need" it, then get a "business class service"... in which those prices have fallen drastically.

No one NEEDS the internet.. but, it DOES make their life easier.

And before you throw out "my job requires it..." then your employer should be paying for it too. If you are self employed, and you "need" it that way, then purchase a business class service and pay the price like every other business who makes their money off it.

But, don't come here crying a river over a residential service.

Even at Comcast's un-bundled $54 price tag, that's still a bargain compared to just 7 years ago when the average user paid $45 for a 256mb DSL service OR were still paying about $55 for dial up. (Many people used a second phone line AND $25 dial up account to get on line and could only use ONE computer at a time)...

Seriously, the whining needs to come down to a dull roar. Many of you guys don't know what feeling pain at the wallet is - yet. Many of you who think life today is so bad, even with $3 gas, and $119 cable/inet/phone bills... YOU DON'T KNOW stretching.

The internet, for most people at home, is still for entertainment.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532602 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:50:53 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532599 DotMac : So will only 20% of users see the annual 3X inflation price increase on video services in 2008?

My guess would be no.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532599 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:50:32 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532423 openbox9 : Most of your private/public examples began with government and introduced the private side. So, private industry began competing with the government, not the other way around.

»20% of Comcast Users To See DOCSIS 3.0 in 2008
Comcast is now on the front page committing to infrastructure upgrades and yet people complain that they continue to pay more money. Once again, I have no sympathy for those paying price increases for entertainment.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532423 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:24:09 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532356 DotMac : Funny, UPS and Fedex seem to compete with USPS overnight services just fine. Private schools seem to compete with public schools just fine. Our local privately owned toll roads seem to complete too well with our 'freeways'.
Private hospitals compete with public hospitals.

Private industries compete with public every day.

And boo hoo inflation...that is all well and good except companies like Comcast are raising rates at 3X inflation year after year after year and some like Cox, do it up to 3 times in a single year. All the while customer service goes into the tank.

If cable or telcos don't like it, let them surrender their gov't granted franchises and presence in public ROWs, return the billions in taxpayer money they got and make room for a replacement otherwise they can follow some simple rules that protect customers from crap service, channel extortion, lies, push polls, lawsuits, predatory pricing and endless price increases.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532356 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 14:13:18 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532255 openbox9 :
said by DotMac See Profile :

Sure, someone could fight the telco and cable video services if they want to spend millions in court fighting lawsuits »Qwest Sues 14 City Utah Fiber Project , push polls »Playing Twenty Questions , scare tactics »Muni Misinformation? , predatory pricing »'Discounted' Competition and propaganda.
Competition from a government entity, isn't a fair competition. You won't see cable or telco companies fighting/suing entry into their markets from private/public companies playing on an equal field.
said by DotMac See Profile :

If companies like Comcast didn't throttle customers with massive price increases twice a year or like Cox, THREE times in a single year all while customer service goes into the toilet...there would be no problem. The FCC would ignore the cable industry.
Boohoo. Inflation. Things cost more all of the time. People want infrastructure improvements and 100 Mbps to their residences, but they don't want to pay for the privilege. I have no sympathy for those whining about their cable TV price going up. It's entertainment, not potable water or other another life necessity.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532255 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:54:24 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532086 CarterStClai : Doesn't change the fact that there isn't any competition, and therefore, business rates are still very high.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19532086 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 13:31:17 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531653 swintec :
said by CarterStClai See Profile :

Unless you NEED Internet access to live, like I do, then it is not exactly entertainment anymore, is it!?!
Have business internet account prices been raised at the same level? T-1's and such tend to come with contracts to, so you have a fixed price. If you are using a residential account, then you have little to complain about, you are getting it for a steal. ;)
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BlockNews.Net- Quality Usenet Block And Unlimited Accounts]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531653 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:24:54 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531628 CarterStClai : Unless you NEED Internet access to live, like I do, then it is not exactly entertainment anymore, is it!?!]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531628 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:21:43 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531556 DotMac : Sure, someone could fight the telco and cable video services if they want to spend millions in court fighting lawsuits »Qwest Sues 14 City Utah Fiber Project , push polls »Playing Twenty Questions , scare tactics »Muni Misinformation? , predatory pricing »'Discounted' Competition and propaganda.

Meanwhile in exchange for their money tree, cable and telcos can follow very simple rules designed to protect consumers. If not, they can sell their services in a way that doesn't require public ROW or in the case of telcos, billions in taxpayer money »Picture Perfect Deal

If companies like Comcast didn't throttle customers with massive price increases twice a year or like Cox, THREE times in a single year all while customer service goes into the toilet...there would be no problem. The FCC would ignore the cable industry.

But so long as companies like Comcast continue their anticonsumer policies, engage is predatory pricing and endlessly raise prices at 3X the rate of inflation, they're going to have the gov't spotlight on them.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531556 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:09:45 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531507 MysticGogeta : They sure seem to be doing a good job monitoring imported goods from china.
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Team Discovery-Join the fight]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531507 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 12:03:33 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531420 viperlmw :
said by TK Junk Mail See Profile :

Regulations never accomplish anything but a distortion of the natural marketplace.
Never? Even regs involving safety and health?]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531420 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:51:23 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531394 swintec :
said by DotMac See Profile :

No it's that cable companies are granted access by gov't franchise and should be subject to basic rules designed to protect customers in exchange for this sanctioned monopoly.
Any other cable company is free to enter towns and cities as they want, provided they follow the proper permit paperwork and such. They must build there own cable network and such, however. Just because other companies won't enter and build there network, the current cable company there is the bad guy?
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BlockNews.Net- Quality Usenet Block And Unlimited Accounts]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531394 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:47:44 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531381 DotMac : No it's that cable companies are granted access by gov't franchise and should be subject to basic rules designed to protect customers in exchange for this sanctioned monopoly.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531381 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:45:11 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531373 swintec :
said by DotMac See Profile :

Sometimes their only choice is take it or leave it...no competition.
This whole argument is depending upon the fact that what the cable companies offer is a NEED in order to live, and NOT an entertainment service like it is.
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BlockNews.Net- Quality Usenet Block And Unlimited Accounts]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531373 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:43:14 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531355 MysticGogeta : I don't like Comcast but this is a very one sided arguement and it seems quite obvious that Martin is getting paid by Telecos and needs to be removed.
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Team Discovery-Join the fight]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531355 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:40:29 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531205 DotMac : Sometimes their only choice is take it or leave it...no competition.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19531205 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 11:14:13 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19530969 openbox9 : But yet consumers still blindly throw their money at Comcast. Until the sheeple speak with $$, Comcast will continue to grow.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19530969 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:39:09 EDT Re: Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19530755 DotMac : The market doesn't decide who gets the bigger.

They simply buy their way into other markets through M&A with the money reaped from their endless price increases.

They aren't EARNING their growth through excellent service at a fair price as companies in other industries have to do.]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19530755 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 10:01:30 EDT Martin doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth ? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19530715 TK Junk Mail :
The question then becomes, is Martin still doing a good thing by capping Comcast's growth, even if his intentions are not particularly noble?
The very easy answer is no. Let the market decide who gets bigger in the TV marketplace - cable or telco or satellite. Customers and investors are more capable of efficiently allocating scarce financial resources to the best methods of delivering TV content. Martin should keep his hands off. Regulations never accomplish anything but a distortion of the natural marketplace.

And aside from any issues about the appropriateness of a cable limit or not, the court already struck down in 2001 an attempt by the FCC to limit cable penetration.
National Cable and Telecommunications Association said that since the 2001 court decision to strike down the cable ownership limits
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]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,19530715 Thu, 29 Nov 2007 09:53:49 EDT