| What does the merger have to do with this? I use DSL not cable modem so I haven't kept up with this, but what does the merger really have to do with this? This to me seems more to be of a problem with that there is a monopoly in an area regardless of how big it is. If Comcast was tiny they would still be able to get away with this over their area since they would still have a monopoly over it.
I don't see what Comcast's size has to do with anything. It's the lack of choice that's the problem. |
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 dravenEx-Mod 2004-10
join:2002-02-20
my bunker | Don't you think the lack of choice could perhaps be influenced, if not now, then in the future, by the fact that Comcast is slowly extending its tentacles across the entire US? It's the same reason why mom-and-pop stores don't open up next door to the Big K-Mart..... competing is a just plain losing cause.
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"He tells me to reboot modem. I suggest he reboot Comcast." - ctbarker32
I'm a broadband communist! |
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| No, I actually think it's the opposite. If I'm going to be serviced by a monopoly, I'd at least rather be service by a large efficient monopoly. Large monopolies can't get away with anything. Here in Metro Detroit, Time Warner serviced 4 suburbs while Comcast serviced everthing else in SE Michigan including Detroit. When Time Warner screwed up, it was on the cover of the Farmington Obsverver(local suburban paper). When Comcast screwed up, it was on the cover of the Detroit News and Detroit Free Press, and the top story on the 11 o'clock news. That gives accountability. I have always said that if there was only 1 cable company nationwide, MOST OF US WOULD HAVE LOWER PRICES!!!!! The exception being the lucky ones with competition(who cares about them). The government would probably control them and force universal pricing like Dish/Direct and that's makes more visible competition. Can you tell me what my cable rates are here? Of course not. So how would you know if you're getting ripped off or not. If everybody knew what everybody paid, prices would be pushed down. |
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dravenEx-Mod 2004-10
join:2002-02-20
my bunker | said by 2farfromCO7:
I have always said that if there was only 1 cable company nationwide, MOST OF US WOULD HAVE LOWER PRICES!!!!!
I think you're expecting a little too much from businesses, who's sole purpose is to show net profit  But I sort of see where you're going with your statements.
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"He tells me to reboot modem. I suggest he reboot Comcast." - ctbarker32
I'm a broadband communist! |
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| reply to draven
said by draven:
Don't you think the lack of choice could perhaps be influenced, if not now, then in the future, by the fact that Comcast is slowly extending its tentacles across the entire US? It's the same reason why mom-and-pop stores don't open up next door to the Big K-Mart..... competing is a just plain losing cause.
There has always been a lack of choice ever since cable first started. Whether it's MomAndPopCableCo or Comcast, it doesn't matter since they are my only choice. Your analogy isn't quite valid since MomAndPopCableCo would be guaranteed customers since a local government has guaranteed them a franchise. It wouldn't matter if Comcast was right next to them since people can't choose like they would with a mom and pop store vs. K-mart.
Lack of choice is a severe problem, but the problem didn't become worse just because Comcast enlarged. (The only way it could be a problem would be if Comcast bought out Verizon in my area or vice versa.) Lack of choice is a problem due to the monopoly nature of how phone and cable service is currently done. |
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