 GuspazGuspazPremium,MVM
join:2001-11-05
Montreal, QC
kudos:16 | reply to jdjbuffalo
Re: ISP errors should invalidate contracts In Bell's service area, they do have competition. Yes, those competitors still use Bell's lines, but other than a base charge for the line ($20.50/mth for the standard 5mbit service), the ISPs decide how much to charge (typically $30-40/mth).
Many of these ISPs don't even offer contracts. My ISP refuses to offer contracts, saying that they're anti-consumer. They do offer the ability to pre-pay a year at a bit of a discount, though, since people kept asking for stuff like that.
Anyhow, the competition (from both the cable internet providers that service the same area, and the wholesaler DSL ISPs) hasn't stopped Bell from getting worse and worse. Many of the wholesaler ISPs offer better quality at cheaper prices.
The thing is, Bell is the big telco, so they seem content to hold onto their core customers, the people who don't know anything about technology and are just happy if their hotmail loads eventually when they open their browsers. There are so many of these customers who just care if it works (at any speed), that they can let the wholesalers deal with more demanding consumers.
So, unfortunately, it seems like the only way that we're going to get good service is if the CRTC (our version of the FCC) continues to regulate the phone companies (Bell, Telus) requiring them to share their lines at reasonable prices. Better than nothing, I suppose. |
