Mr Matt
join:2008-01-29
Eustis, FL
kudos:1 Reviews:
 ·CenturyLink
 ·Comcast
·Embarq Now Centu..
 ·Millenicom
| Over priced at any speed  That's the problem with a oligopoly. It is the old problem when the service is provided by an effective monopoly. The broadband providers constantly represent that they are going to reduce service cost when they actually increase service cost. Years ago when most customers accessed the Internet via a dial up connection, service providers were forced to change the rate structure because of competition. Most customers were charged for hours connected like the old AOL pricing plan. Eventually when one service provider provided unlimited service in an area, all service providers were forced to provide unlimited service or lose customers. Remember in the early days of Internet access there were many ISP's after years of consolidation there are now few. What we need is regulation of broadband rates and service packages or more broadband providers. Another solution would be to setup a government subsidized transport company, Municipal Fiber. It would be a utility service that would offer transport only, to any company wanting to sell digital services. The rates would be regulated. The oligopoly would be forced to compete with the alternate transport utility. This arrangement is not impossible, in most municipalities a government agency provides water and sewer services. Without such an arrangement prices will continue to rise and the Broadband Oligopoly will continue to cherry pick the areas where they want to provide service. |
