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2009: A Year Of Rural Broadband Musical Chairs?
Carriers dumping less profitable rural networks and unwanted users...

Last summer, Time Warner Cable announced that the company was selling a group of small cable systems in 25 different states to Windjammer Communications. The cable systems, which serve about 80,000 basic cable subscribers and 120,000 revenue generating units (RGUs, or individual services like VoIP, broadband, TV) are too far from Time Warner Cable's main geographical areas of operation. Many of these markets were in need of upgrades and only offered very basic high speed access and no VoIP.

As users in our Roadrunner forum note, some of these customers had just gotten used to being Time Warner Cable customers after formerly being part of Adelphia. Some users complain they were never informed by either Windjammer or Time Warner Cable that the transition was occurring, while others say their initial experience with Windjammer has been a bit rocky. Those impacted should note the Windjammer website offers a guide to the transition and urges VoIP customers to manage their VoIP accounts here.

Both phone and cable companies are increasingly selling less profitable rural areas so they can focus on higher ROI areas. Verizon recently sold off their networks in the entire state of New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine to Fairpoint Communications, and customers in those States are awaiting the final switchover on January 31. It's likely Verizon may also sell off other predominately rural markets like West Virginia and upstate New York.

Windjammer is supposedly interested in acquiring several of the markets that Charter has been offloading as the carrier considers bankruptcy protection. That announcement by Charter is expected as soon as next week, and the cable company has already announced they're selling 26 smaller rural markets in Minnesota to Mid-Continent Communications (see our user reviews).

Rural broadband users had it hard enough, given they're usually the last to see upgrades -- if they can get service at all. When they come to our forums to complain, they're usually called rednecks and told to move. Now they're increasingly being shuttled about like unwanted cargo between mediocre carriers, left to enjoy the transition headaches that entails. Of course it could always be worse: they could be American satellite broadband customers.

Most recommended from 67 comments


beaups
join:2003-08-11
Hilliard, OH

2 recommendations

beaups

Member

Always been this way

How come the water companies don't bring water and sewage lines in? Why doesn't the natural gas company bring gas lines in? Unprofitable. And I would argue that these are far more important than pay-per-view and a 30mb connection.

I lived in rural ohio for quite some time and had a well and a septic system, an awful electric furnace, and until a few years ago no broadband. It was a price I paid and I accepted it as one of the tradeoffs of having a lot of land and some peace and quiet.

I can't understand why we push so hard an try to force the major carriers to serve these sorts of areas.