 |
 | 
zoom314
Superman
Premium
join:2001-04-30
Yermo, CA
edit:
August 24th, @05:25PM
| Re: Progress already! said by PhoenixDown  :Thumbs up to Utopia, imagine what the rates will be once they actually start providing services! Yeah, 2 Thumbs up! That should keep Comcast honest, Not to mention competitive, Just what Comcast doesn't want or like. Too bad, So sad as My brother used to say....:p;)
--
Firefox forever!
»zoom314.blogspot.com/
»mysite.verizon.net/zoom314/ | |
|
| | 
fagulu
|  Re: Progress already!
Betcha prices drop real quick | |
|
| | | MADcyborge
join:2002-05-31
Salt Lake City, UT
edit:
August 25th, @07:15PM
| Comcast actually good in UT I have been with comcast since 9-26-2001, I have had an excellent experience with the service, the support is weak and does not know allot. I have had 3 techs come to my house and Matt, the last guy blew me away. he brought with him a $30K tester and had crazy elaborate mad knowledge! This was a guy I could & did talk shop with. I have had a half dozen outages that power cycling didn't fix,but were soon resolved. I enjoy comcast as the utah franchise does a very good job at keeping service very high. I pay 67 dollars a month living in South salt lake city and though pricey, for now 8mbps/768 kBps is worth it. Once Utopia roles to my neighborhood it will however be lights out comcast hello FIBER! (PUN,lights out) I find that a conglomerate of municipalities can and will handle things much much better than the bureaucratic corporation that comcast is. I will look Forward to the day I leave a company that deems one of its customer "Bitch dog". The national call center staff that do support SHOULD BE FIRED!! but when I call the UT ppl i do have a better experience with service. I am considering a Move to Murray Ut up the street a few miles just to get UTOPIA, but will ask the Mayor Wes Losser to support fiber,as I showed him 3+ years ago,or he wont get my vote/tax dollars this November. Muni' deserve a chance and a crack at competition. I vehemently oppose comcast corporate ethics! I have heard horror stories such as lobbying cities and the officials of city's to shoot down and otherwise suppress any network that threatens comcast' corporate monopoly. So in the mean time I like what i got, but I don't like who I am getting it from. Once utopia rolls to my street, SO LONG COMCAST! | |
|
| | 
csnewbie
join:2001-02-12
Atlanta, GA | Comcast and honest in same sentence? never heard that one before haha | |
|
| |
| | |
| 
packetscan
Premium
join:2004-10-19
Bridgeport, CT
clubs: | Here comes the competition! | |
|
| |
| | |
oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA
edit:
August 24th, @05:21PM
| Just another example of Comcrap's predatory prices »'Discounted' Competition
Yeah, and we all believe their ads that muni competition is bad. If they can provide the price in that market, they should have no trouble doing it anywhere...that is unless they're breaking the law...again. »straylight.law.cornell.edu/uscod···00-.html
| |
|
| BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
 ·Comcast Formerly ..
| Re: Just another example of Comcrap's predatory prices Watch your tongue Comcast can do no wrong. They are the alpha and the omega.
After that crack. I agree with you and have to wonder if this is the case, then why not lower the prices everywhere ? Or is it that they are using the profits from other areas to subsidize their losses here.
Comcast and all cable companies should be held to the same standards as any dbs provider. No difference in pricing in any market. dbs providers get a big fine if they do this why can comcast do this and not get fined as well?
--
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!" | |
|
| | 
Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept
join:2004-06-26
 ·Embarq
| Re: Just another example of Comcrap's predatory pr said by BosstonesOwn :Watch your tongue Comcast can do no wrong. They are the alpha and the omega. After that crack. I agree with you and have to wonder if this is the case, then why not lower the prices everywhere ? Same reason they don't 'tier down' to compete when alternatives arrive; they end up losing subs to their lower priced tiers.
Their answer is to offer up MORE speed. I call it SUV mentality (or mine is bigger, take your pick): Try to sell more of what people don't need because it's worked before and it's all you have. There's an inherent problem here, though ...
Once energy prices rise above median budgetary waterlines, these bottom-line feeding profit whores will have to kiss their marketing gimmicks goodbye and face up to a castrated 'free market' -- debilitated consumer buying power THEY created. They're called Rope salesmen. They sell people the very rope that hangs them in the end.
America's business leaders are destroying their blessed free market by dismantling the very ladders to success that have made our large income gaps palatable. By rewarding themselves for destroying American jobs and manufacturing, as well as engineering and scientific capabilities, our capitalist masters are sowing themselves a temporary whirlwind AND their own destruction.
Forbes reports that the combined compensation of the chief executives of America's 500 largest companies rose 54 percent last year, while Labor Department statistics report the purchasing power of an average non-supervisory worker's wage has fallen about 1.5 percent since the summer of 2003.
They call it freedom but is sure smells like death
| |
|
| 
Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium
join:2001-11-29
Erie, PA
edit:
August 24th, @11:19PM
| Re: Just another example of Comcrap's predatory pr You assume that price is sustainable and not just there to break even hoping the muni will flop. In the end no one knows. I wouldn't have a bad feeling if this were actual competition and not private company vs taxpayer co-signed entity.
And yes I'm aware: bonds, no taxes went in, blah blah blah; if the government is involved no matter how much they try to shelter the taxpayer, when the proverbial shit hits the fan if everyone else dives outta the way, it's the taxpayers who will get hit.
--edit-- see my edit below
--
Pi Piru Piru Piru PiPiru Pi! | |
|
| |
oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA | Re: Just another example of Comcrap's predatory pr That is my point. If it is not sustainable and they're doing it hoping the muni will flop, that is predatory pricing and a Federal crime. | |
|
| | |
Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium
join:2001-11-29
Erie, PA
| Re: Just another example of Comcrap's predatory pr said by oliphant :That is my point. If it is not sustainable and they're doing it hoping the muni will flop, that is predatory pricing and a Federal crime. There's more factors than that, for one I think that there has to be evidence that the intent is to kill the competition as opposed to trying to cut their losses hoping that the competition implodes on their own.
I mean it seems like what you're saying is that Comcast's only out if a muni undercuts them is to just pick up and leave. I hope you don't think that that situation is going to be good for the consumer.
It's hard for me to really discuss any Comcast/UTOPIA interaction because UTOPIA seems to be floating everything, rather than setting out a hard plan to get to their goal. It appears that their whole MO could change in a matter of minutes should they think they need to make friends.
--
Pi Piru Piru Piru PiPiru Pi! | |
|
| | | |
oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA
edit:
August 25th, @02:47PM
| Re: Just another example of Comcrap's predatory pr The fact that they ONLY do this in markets where they fact competition (not just from muni's) is proof in itself.
Comcast's out is to expand these 'offers' to their entire market rather than the law breaking predatory practices they currently use. Comcast should knock off with the 4x inflation price yearly increases and substandard service. My cable bill had gone up over 30% in just 3 years thanks to a Comcrap takeover and is the highest in the region. That's simply not justified by their expenses, it's price gouging.
But now we see that suddenly those obscene margins can be shaved into once they see direct competition. | |
|
| | | | |
Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium
join:2001-11-29
Erie, PA
| Re: Just another example of Comcrap's predatory pr My point is that after paying to wire an area, you aren't going to be quick to pick up and leave. You're going to do what you can to ride out the initial storm and hope that it doesn't last very long.
--
Pi Piru Piru Piru PiPiru Pi! | |
|
b10010011
Whats a Posting tag?
join:2004-09-07
Bellingham, WA
edit:
August 24th, @05:32PM
| Competition really DOES help the comsumer Despite what the local monopolies tell you! | |
|
| aciddrinkold
join:2004-03-17
Kailua, HI | Re: Competition really DOES help the comsumer comcast still sucks no matter what 
I'm stuck with em and hate it heh | |
|
| | 
entropy1
Premium
join:2002-09-25 | Re: Competition really DOES help the comsumer You aren't stuck with them at all. You have a choice to not be a Comcast customer. No one is forcing you. | |
|
| | | aciddrinkold
join:2004-03-17
Kailua, HI | Re: Competition really DOES help the comsumer I can go comcast or I can go dial up. Let me see.. | |
|
| | | |
entropy1
Premium
join:2002-09-25 | Re: Competition really DOES help the comsumer Well...I have Comcast and love it. My point, though, is that you are not being forced to be a customer. If it's so terrible then dial-up may just be better for you. | |
|
| | | | | aciddrinkold
join:2004-03-17
Kailua, HI
| Re: Competition really DOES help the comsumer Yeah I know where you're coming from. I used to love Comcast up until about 2 months ago. Now its real laggy 24/7. Tech support says everything works as intended and my modem is getting a strong signal. Eh. Everybody in my area has same problem as me. | |
|
| | | | | Mordhem
Direct Tech
join:2003-07-10
Gaffney, SC
| entropy get off Comcast shaft. The company is the only option for broadband in lots of places and 56k cant work for allot of people who's jobs involve using the pc.
So bloated over priced comcast is the only pic for some people, also not to mention the only cable operators in most states aka Monopoly, lets play tho because Ma Bell is the king of all Monopoly's and when her bell rings comcast will cry a vary.... vary green tear.
--
Baltimore Glass Company(410) 338-1880 2700 Remington AveBaltimore, MD 21211 Bobby Spicer. | |
|
| | | | | |
entropy1
Premium
join:2002-09-25 | Re: Competition really DOES help the comsumer Your first sentence is very insulting and certainly not called for in a public forum. | |
|
| | | | | broadbander
join:2005-07-21
Brooklyn, NY | You're not forced to use electricity either.
Or a sewer system.
Or take showers.
You're not forced to eat food.
"If you don't like the way food is being sold to you, don't work to FIX THE PROBLEM just stop eating, duh!" | |
|
|
Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium
join:2001-11-29
Erie, PA
edit:
August 24th, @11:18PM
| said by b10010011 :Despite what the local monopolies tell you! Too bad people like you only look at what's 2 feet in front of you and don't see the potential 50 car pileup looming a couple miles down the road.
You could be trading a private "monopoly" (monopoly not really existing in most areas) with many other companies spending great effort trying to break in, for a government monopoly where all those other companies have long given up because they can't under price the government (or a government backed company running with the borrowing power that the taxpayers represent).
--edit--
after reading up a little on UTOPIA it appears they are on the right track to be what I thought would be the optimal solution (ie: government building the infrastructure and letting whoever wants to to use them; kinda like the current highway system). There are only a couple things that concerns me:
1. that they're still not clear on what they're going to do with any profit (it should be refunded back to the companies whoever paid to use the network)
2. they aren't at all set on what their model is (it sounds like they're riding the fence like a politician hoping to push something thru even if it means abandoning their original goal) | |
|
| | 
KoolMoe
Aw Man
Premium
join:2001-02-14
Annapolis, MD
clubs:
·Speakeasy
| Re: Competition really DOES help the comsumer Why should profit be given back to the companies that pay to use the network?!
Far better to use it to supplement gov't services and cut taxes for locals? Or to reduce pricing of the broadband/TV service for customers? Or expand the infrastructure? Or pay for more programming?
I don't see why it should be refunded to the companies paying to deliver over the wires... Maybe give them a small discount on next year's payment or something....
KM | |
|
| | |
Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium
join:2001-11-29
Erie, PA
| Re: Competition really DOES help the comsumer said by KoolMoe :Why should profit be given back to the companies that pay to use the network?! Because government should never be in the business of trying to make a profit.
said by KoolMoe :Far better to use it to supplement gov't services and cut taxes for locals? Business doesn't pay taxes, a tax on business is an indirect tax on consumers. The government having the ability to make the infrastructure a cashcow is exactly the reason why I have such a problem with munis. I'll restate: If the government is running a broadband network at a profit, then the network is in effect nothing more than a well disguised luxury tax.
said by KoolMoe :Or to reduce pricing of the broadband/TV service for customers? In the case of UTOPIA, the customer is the company offering service to the enduser.
said by KoolMoe :Or expand the infrastructure? To an extent I would consider this part of maintenence.
said by KoolMoe :Or pay for more programming? The government themselves shouldn't be offering programming. That should be up to the private companies offering services on the network.
said by KoolMoe :I don't see why it should be refunded to the companies paying to deliver over the wires... You don't see why because you think "big business" is evil and should be punished.
Quite frankly IMO I wouldn't have a problem with the government letting companies use their infrastructure for free (maintenance paid by tax dollars; ie:current highway system) because it would allow small businesses to offer service and compete with the big boys on relatively even ground; the problem is that the network would quickly reach capacity with every fly-by-night and computer neophyte with a couple thousand dollars trying to offer BB and having little to no clue how.
--
Pi Piru Piru Piru PiPiru Pi! | |
|
| |
oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA
| Many industries compete with governments. Private schools and universities compete with government and do just fine. UPS, Fedex and DHL compete with USPS and do just fine. Private security firms compete against the police and do just fine.
These incumbents have brought this upon themselves. If they didn't offer such crap service and such a high price there wouldn't be a demand for muni deployment. But since they do, there is and incumbents are going to have to finally compete. | |
|
| | |
Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium
join:2001-11-29
Erie, PA
| Re: Competition really DOES help the comsumer said by oliphant :Many industries compete with governments. yeah
said by oliphant :Private schools and universities compete with government and do just fine. And they charge premium prices to do so, very few people can afford to go to private schools on their own.
said by oliphant :UPS, Fedex and DHL compete with USPS and do just fine. mostly picking up in areas where the USPS chooses not to compete; Guaranteed commitment date, large package, customs clearing, dangerous goods, things that shouldn't be banked off walls during sorting, non standard carriage conditions, end to end courier services. Again, at a premium. You won't find anyone Fedex'ing Christmas cards under normal circumstances.
said by oliphant :Private security firms compete against the police and do just fine. The police aren't going to station cops at office buildings, and other places such as nuclear facilities are required to provide on site security. Cops don't do on site security, they're there mostly to clean up afterwards.
--
Pi Piru Piru Piru PiPiru Pi! | |
|
| | | |
oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA
edit:
August 25th, @03:38PM
| Re: Competition really DOES help the comsumer A lot of private schools cost less in per pupil spending that gov't spends on per pupil spending. There is no where USPS doesn't compete and I can think of no area where neither UPS, Fedex or USPS don't deliver. Only in letter carrying does the USPS not compete and that is because it is illegal for private business to do so. Police currently drive neighborhoods and respond to calls just as private security firms do. You all find them at amusement parts and stadiums.
And given all of these example you still say where they compete with government these businesses do so at a premium. They by your admission are able to compete directly with government despite higher prices.
So the question is, why can't Comcast? The answer is simple. Comcast has redefined the term 'premium' when it comes to price and service is non-existent. | |
|
| | | | |
Combat Chuck
Too Many Cannibals
Premium
join:2001-11-29
Erie, PA | Re: Competition really DOES help the comsumer Yes they exist as a premium service that the majority of people cannot afford. And the definition of premium ends up being the same service you used to get before the government stepped in.
--
Pi Piru Piru Piru PiPiru Pi! | |
|
JTRockville
Data Ho
Premium,MVM
join:2002-01-28
Rockville, MD
clubs: | * Gasps * Is this True? Competition Lowers Prices? Amazing.
Is customer service from the entrenched incumbent improving in these competitive areas too?
I guess only time will tell.
!!! WTG UTOPIA !!!
Symmetry=Sweet | |
|
cfarm
join:2005-08-12
Byron, CA | Competition is a good thing Perhaps a sign of things to come when(if?) the RBOCs get it together? | |
|
liquidnw
join:2005-06-05
Bronx, NY
| Thank YOu As more news like this comes out I hope this puts an end to all the bs cable companies, and certain people on these board always say about having a second choice will not lower prices whether its a muni or a teleco. Wait until verizon, sbc,etc get going in the coming years the price gouging of companies like comcast,cablevision,etc are coming to an end. | |
|
godscountry
@verizon.n | godscountry Just how many times can you send the dvd version of the bible before it gets boring?!?!?!?
What does middle america do with broadband anywho???? | |
|
| |
|
stupidinyourmind
@comcast.net
| I guess only stupid, small minded low IQ people live in your state, or is it just two of you idiots. I live in Utah, and guess what!! dumb dumb, I have a normal life. If and when Utopia, come to my town, I am gone faster than your mouth can spit out ignorant spit.......... | |
|
| 
bent
not broken
Premium
join:2004-10-04
Longmont, CO
clubs: | We download G-rated porn. | |
|
aaron12345
join:2002-12-17
Falls Church, VA | haha offensive but funny.... I was thinking the same thing about utah... but announcing it in public is where I drew my line. | |
|
|
StucknUT
@comcast.net
| Re: haha Not everyone in Utah is mormon...I live here and am not.
On another note, does anybody know if you have to live in Midvale or Murray to get these prices from comcast? I am in Riverton and am one of the Utopia cities, but I am in phase 3 of the build. It will suck if they make somebody a few miles away pay higher prices because they don't have Utopia, yet. | |
|
| |
godddeal4us
@comcast.net | Re: haha why not call them and find out for yourself........... | |
|
| | 
RR Conductor
'Boarrrd
Premium
join:2002-04-02
Redwood Valley, CA | I don't live there, but I am a member  My family helped build Utah, Eastern Idaho and California with the Mormon pioneers. I have cousins there too, in Logan and Salt Lake City. | |
|
floydb_1982
join:2004-08-25
Kent, WA
 ·Clearwire Wireless
·Comcast
| Comcast isn't lowering prices I went to the Comcast live chat support page and I asked if there was a $29.95 internet with the one year contract. The tech person told me there was no such thing as a $29.95 internet service. I was also told that Comcast does not do one year contracts what so ever. | |
|
|
See 6 replies to this post |
|
Mr Anon
@sbcglobal.net | Message for UTOPIA Dear UTOPIA...
Please come to my city. I will have punch and pie.
Thanks.
LOL | |
|
PARADOX_SEV
join:2005-02-08
Salt Lake City, UT
edit:
August 26th, @03:39PM
| Murray Utah I just got home from the local Comcast office. They are offering HSI at 6000/768 to Murray customers for 29.95 and you do not have to sign a contract. They will verify your address and if you are in a UTPOIA area you get the deal. I asked a tech on the online chat and he was clueless since he told me there were no such deals. | |
|
| 
CatScratch
Premium
join:2003-09-10
West Jordan, UT | Re: Murray Utah I'm in Utah but just outside of the current Utopia project (West Jordan). Sucks, I would either jump over or at least get the Comcast deal! Guess I'm stuck paying the high premium like everyone else. | |
|
falling_star
join:2001-12-05
Manassas, VA
| Utopia in Utah I debated whether to enter this thread or not, but quite frankly the amount of mis-information is amazing. Utopia was born of a consultant group, Dynamic Cities. We all know how well consultants can create a problem in order to fix it(getting paid along the way of course!) The truth is anyone who does some research will see that Utah is an extremely well educated and tech rich state. It is amazing what you could accomplish 4 years ago online with the state government. Beyond HSI connectivity , digital video , USDTV and Moviebeam all were here first.The long list of tech firms current and past here would embarass silicon valley. The motivation for UTOPIA and IPROVO and American Fork community network (heard of that one?) or Spanish Fork had much more to do with the lack of DSL from Qwest than anything else. Comcast was not even around in the years this concept started. The driver here was economic development. At the time several municipal systems had started, but we all know that is going now, (what's up with ZIPP?). The problem I see with UTOPIA is the business cases are a not realistic,They require subscription volumes and rates that are pretty high. the 10mps @ $40(10mps connection by the way, throughput is much lower) is not in the model. As for Comcast lowering the rates, hey we live in America and it is called free market pricing. Cherish our freedoms all the time, not just when it agrees with your opinion on one topic.
There is a wealth of financial technical information available on these topics for those who want to really the truth.
My belief is the sales tax guarantees for the bonds will have to be used, sales tax rates in those cities will go up to cover it, and those cities will be at an economic disadvantage in the end. Two large cities Salt Lake and Sandy analyzed it carefully and came to that conclusion.
As for this having anything to do with Comcast, it does not, other than they now do need to defend their business investments they have made, and appear to be doing it through superior service quality. Notice the lack postings on BBR about problems in Utah for Comcast? | |
|
| PARADOX_SEV
join:2005-02-08
Salt Lake City, UT | Re: Utopia in Utah I have had Comcast HSI for over 3 years now in Utah and it has been great. | |
|
| Skidus
join:2002-10-06
Salt Lake City, UT
| I have also had very good luck with Comcast in Murray. Recently we have had 2 visits within a month offering lowered prices on our cable HSI bill, My guess is Utopia is getting close to offering it where I live and Comcast is countering with lower prices. I went to the Xmission website and they will also offer service. | |
|
|
|
|
Comcast Vs. Utopia
Progress already!
·
·
·
