U.S. Consumers Pay More For Triple PlayThough we're all apparently happy with our speeds... ( old news - 01:28PM Wednesday Dec 12 2007) tags: prices · business · bandwidth · stats · worldThe United Kingdom's Office of Communications (Ofcom) has issued a new report stating that users in the UK pay up to four times less for telecom bundles of voice, data and TV. The report also notes that the UK in 2006 for the first time surpassed the United States in terms of broadband penetration (which admittedly isn't saying much). The report is mammoth in size, and offers a flurry of statistics. France leads the IPTV revolution, and the US was the only country in Ofcom's survey where more women than men were found to use the internet. The study also found that despite all of our gripes, the U.S. has the highest levels of satisfaction with broadband speed (85%). Compare that to a 39% speed satisfaction rate in Japan, which the report says is thanks to the "uneven distribution of high-speed fiber networks." A smattering of additional findings: •Levels of next-generation access deployments vary significantly according to different market conditions. Japan is the clear leader among the countries analysed with around 30% of broadband connections being delivered via fibre-to-the-home.
•Mobile networks capable of delivering high-speed data services are beginning to take off. The number of 3G connections more than doubled in most of our comparator countries between 2005 and 2006, and HSDPA services have also launched in most countries.
•Total broadband connections across our 12 comparator countries increased by 600% between 2001 and 2006. This growth has been driven primarily by DSL broadband which increased its share of connections in every country and is now the largest broadband platform in all countries analysed except the US.
•The US leads the world in the sale of audio-visual content, which is reflected in the revenues generated by its online TV and video industry. These stood at £1 per capita in 2006, two and a half times as high as the next biggest market, the UK.
•A greater proportion of UK internet users (39%) visit social networking sites than in any other key European country surveyed. They also visit these sites more frequently and spend more time on them. While US consumers pay 50% less than any of the European countries for standalone broadband pricing, the report does note that Americans spend more for bundles -- in some cases three times more than their UK counterparts. According to the report, a U.S. family of four will pay on average $140 per month for the triple play, compared to $80 in Germany, $54 in France, and $50 in the UK.
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wifi4milez
In Need Of Garbage Pail Kids 1st Series
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
| Its just as I have been saying all along..... 8.5 out of 10 people in the US are happy with their broadband speed. Thats not to say that we couldnt use more, but the simple fact remains that virtually nobody in this country is "demanding" 20+Mbps connections as many of the fanboys in this site proclaim in earnest every day. This is also another clear indication of why ATT's u-verse was deployed the way it was. Hopefully (but not likely) this will at least give us a few weeks reprieve from the overbearing lunatics on this site proclaiming that "America Sucks", and "Everyone needs 100Mbps connections for $10 per month"......
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время индейки! | |
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wifi4milez
In Need Of Garbage Pail Kids 1st Series
join:2004-08-07
New York, NY
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
| Re: Its just as I have been saying all along..... said by chakey  :I have a 20/20 symmetrical Fios Connection. Do I NEED it? Of course not. Would it make a difference to me if I were a normal consumer whether I had a 5/1 connection or a 20/20 connection? No--I can name the number of websites capable of serving/receiving information that fast using the fingers on one hand. You are in the minority. I too would love a 20/20 connection (I cant get it however), and I too am in the minority. My point was that so many people get their panties bunched up insisting that everyone in this country is demanding 20/20, or even higher. This clearly isnt the case, and I am honestly shocked that DSLR printed something as subjective as that!
said by chakey :However, power users exist. And until that changes, there will always be a need for more. It's a good thing. People wanting more creates the desire and the competition necessary to take technology to the next level. Otherwise, we'd all still have our 786 dsl connections from 1998. You are correct that "power users" exist, however its more of an opportunity driven thing than anything else. If you or I lived in an area that only had ISDN, I can guarantee that we would have it. The other thing is that you mention 768k DSL as "1998". In reality (as I have also stated before), the 768k/128k DSL tiers (and now cable "lite" tiers) are the fastest growing on the market today. The reason is that for every "power user" such as yourself there are probably a few thousand (if not more) "regular" users who would rather pay less money to access the 'net.
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время индейки! | |
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JamesPC
join:2005-10-12
Orange, CA
| Re: Its just as I have been saying all along..... said by chakey :You are correct--most people would be happy with a dial-up for $4.99/mo. I'm just glad there are people out there who like to scream for more. It means eventually higher speeds will trickle down to the rest of us.  Exactly, and thats how it works. The whole industry works on a trickle effect. Do you think the dual-core in my computer is here because consumers wanted it...NO! Big corporations needed the technology (much sooner than we did), so they put the millions down to get it done. Even as a power user myself and the other millions. We don't make it happen, we benefit from the availability of the technology. | |
| | | | jdjbuffalo
join:2004-01-17
Denver, CO
| The thing that you have to understand is that the people out on the edge demanding something better are the people who help move technology forward. You see this especially in the Gaming Industry with the top .5% - 1% of users who will go out and pay for the new $600+ graphics card. For regular users, if they wait a year then that graphics card (or one very similar) is available for $150 and is a step up from what was available last year at that same price point.
You see the same thing with the Internet. 8 years ago I was downloading videos from the internet when most people were still on dial-up. Nowadays, even my grandparents download videos and watch online streaming content from Youtube.
Without those people out on the edge pushing technology it will stagnate. | |
| | 
gaforces
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
join:2002-04-07
Santa Cruz, CA
 ·Cruzio Internet
| In order to compete in the "World Economy" which is being preached to us by these very corporations providing our services, we need to be faster than everyone else.
Your ""Everyone needs 100Mbps connections for $10 per month"......"
Doesnt cut it.
""Broadband penetration" is now treated as a key economic indicator."
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadband_···t_access
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‘Do ye, quieting in your bosoms your strong hearts,
Who of many good things have had your fill even to surfeit,
With what is moderate nourish your mighty desire; for neither will
We yield, nor shall you have all else as you wish.’
Solon | |
| | | cornelius785
join:2006-10-26
Worcester, MA
| Re: Its just as I have been saying all along..... i don't consider wikipedia a reliable source. the cites for that quote are also weak. all those 'cites' just compare broadband penetration and prices, barely (well, i didn't spot anything in a quick read) anything on how it (broadband penetration) correlates to economic standing of a country. all it is, is just another statistic that can be used to compare countries, just like anything else. | |
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gaforces
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
join:2002-04-07
Santa Cruz, CA
·Cruzio Internet
edit:
December 12th, @03:42PM
| Re: Its just as I have been saying all along..... Consider that they can get things done faster than us, and cheaper.
In the 80's I worked for a company that sold PC computer systems to automotive companys to run thier business. A lot of companys still used old outdated, paper.
The companys that we installed systems were able to save 50% of labor cost of doing it the old way.
Just the Okidata printers alone ...  | |
| | | | | bored_in_nh
join:2003-01-04
Stamping Ground, KY
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| Re: Its just as I have been saying all along..... If I have a 20MB FIOS connection, I'm only going to download the latest security update from Apple/Microsoft/Sun/HP/RedHat as fast as their servers can dish it out. What kind of "power user" has this magic wand that can clear data storms and packet loss, traffic shaping and node congestion to get their data delivered faster than I can on my 6mbps line? | |
| | 
SkyBlue
join:2007-03-31
| said by wifi4milez :8.5 out of 10 people in the US are happy with their broadband speed. Thats not to say that we couldnt use more, but the simple fact remains that virtually nobody in this country is "demanding" 20+Mbps connections as many of the fanboys in this site proclaim in earnest every day. I am demanding lower triple play prices. The idea is to save money. This is all wrong. The math does not add up buy more and save. This is not the case.
RIP OFF!!! | |
| | mglunt
join:2001-09-10
Fredericksburg, VA
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·VoicePulse
|
What we really need is for Big Government to subsidize the broadband in this country. You see, that way, what it is actually costing people is hidden. Then you get the added benefit of forcing all the evil people making more money than you to help pay for your Internet! Its almost as beautiful as the Social Security tax... when you only see 7.5% taken from your check, but really it is costing you 15%.
We need more free stuff! Free broadband, free healthcare... it will be great! | |
| | 
CylonRed
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-06
Bloom County | Don;t forget the TRILLIONS the US economy is missing out on due to 'slow' speeds and no research is being done on any high speed internet in the US as well... ') | |
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JamesPC
join:2005-10-12
Orange, CA
| said by wifi4milez :8.5 out of 10 people in the US are happy with their broadband speed. Thats not to say that we couldnt use more, but the simple fact remains that virtually nobody in this country is "demanding" 20+Mbps connections as many of the fanboys in this site proclaim in earnest every day. This is also another clear indication of why ATT's u-verse was deployed the way it was. Hopefully (but not likely) this will at least give us a few weeks reprieve from the overbearing lunatics on this site proclaiming that "America Sucks", and "Everyone needs 100Mbps connections for $10 per month"...... | |
| |
JamesPC
join:2005-10-12
Orange, CA
| said by wifi4milez :8.5 out of 10 people in the US are happy with their broadband speed. Thats not to say that we couldnt use more, but the simple fact remains that virtually nobody in this country is "demanding" 20+Mbps connections as many of the fanboys in this site proclaim in earnest every day. This is also another clear indication of why ATT's u-verse was deployed the way it was. Hopefully (but not likely) this will at least give us a few weeks reprieve from the overbearing lunatics on this site proclaiming that "America Sucks", and "Everyone needs 100Mbps connections for $10 per month"...... Totally AGREE! | |
| | 
KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southwest
| said by wifi4milez :8.5 out of 10 people in the US are happy with their broadband speed. Yes, when you ask the Boss, he agrees everyone is happy with his leadership.
Our broadband is slow. It's expensive. It's limited.
However, it beats dial-up. That's I think what the mean--- 85% are happy with the broadband speeds---- GIVEN THE ALTERNATIVE.
--
"Regulatory capitalism is when companies invest in lawyers, lobbyists, and politicians, instead of plant, people, and customer service." - former FCC Chairman William Kennard (A real FCC Chairman, unlike the current Corporate Spokesperson in the job!) | |
| 
anonimousy
@rr.com | duh! ofcourse we payin more for less,
thats it for you having a shitty government bribe/ahem.."LOBBIED" by big businesses, and allowing these businesses to conglomerate into monopolies that can thus control prices. | |
| 
punker
deleted by moderator
Premium
join:2004-06-21
Palmdale, CA
clubs:
edit:
December 12th, @01:42PM
| no no
we want more speed
(Upload) | |
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techperson
@lylix.net
| 85 percent satifaction (I DON'T THINK SO) I cant beleive that theres 85 percent happiness here in the us.What segment did they survey.The highest speed i can get is up to 1.5.I have never been able to obtain any faster service.
I would be much happier with 3.0 and up.But for the price and not bundled(dry loop) its not to bad at 23.99 a month lol | |
| | nostrum09
join:2007-12-05
Scotch Plains, NJ
| Re: 85 percent satifaction (I DON'T THINK SO) I could see 85% of people being happy with their broadband speed, for the simple fact of its always on and shareable nature.
When I lived at my parent's house and they still had dial up, the biggest two complaints were that only one person could be online at a time, and that it would take time to dial in and actually start doing something. When we got cable, both of those issues went away, and we were happy. Of course, the speed increase also made us happier, but no subsequent speed increases (I now am on my own and have 20/5 Fios) have made NEARLY as big an impact as the intial move from dial-up to broadband.
For most people, being able to have the whole family on at once, wireless even, and being able to play games, read email, browse and download songs now and again is enough. Whether a page loads in 5 seconds or 3, or whether a song downloads in 1 minute or 2, I doubt most people are unhappy, | |
| | | thevorpal
join:2007-11-16
Endicott, NY | Re: 85 percent satifaction (I DON'T THINK SO) Imagine if the ISPs actually enforced their TOS. I would imagine happiness would plummet. | |
| |
yourighthere
@verizon.net | Yeap. Pay more, get less for the most part..
damn telco and cable companies!! DEPLOY MORE AND GIVE MORE FOR LESS YOU CHEAP BASTAGES!! | |
| | fiberguy
My views are my own.
Premium
join:2005-05-20
| said by techperson :
I cant beleive that theres 85 percent happiness here in the us.What segment did they survey.The highest speed i can get is up to 1.5.I have never been able to obtain any faster service.
I would be much happier with 3.0 and up.But for the price and not bundled(dry loop) its not to bad at 23.99 a month lol
Sounds like you fit in the 15% of people unsatisfied.
I can certainly see how since you are unhappy with your offerings/services/etc, that everyone must be in the same boat as you. | |
| caveman000
join:2007-11-14
Peoria, AZ
| people dont know what they are missing that's just because people dont know how much better the Internet would be if they had much faster connections you don't have to be a p2p user to want higher upload speeds it shouldn't take hours to upload a memory card worth of photos or a video file | |
| bjbrock
join:2002-10-28
Mcalester, OK | The FCC is directly to blame... for the lack of broadband penetration in this country.
The FCC needs to be totally revamped starting with ousting Martin. | |
| 
MisterMarcus
join:2001-11-10
San Diego, CA
·RoadRunner Cable
| Japan dissatisfied... That's the "lavish" effect.
When dialup was all we had, 2400 baud, I didn't complain, because that's all we had.
When 14.4 came out, and we upgraded to that, we didn't complain, because that's all we had.
When 33.6 came out....
When 56k came out...
Now, if someone is used to 20/20 speeds, and all of a sudden due to a network issue it drops to 10/10, yeah they'd complain...even though that's clearly superior to what the greater majority of US broadband subs have. And that's sad, if you really think about it.
It'd be like not having enough money to buy a 2008 Lamb, but you can buy a 2007 yet complain about it. | |
| | jdjbuffalo
join:2004-01-17
Denver, CO
| Re: Japan dissatisfied... You stumbled upon a human flaw that is common for every person. We don't often take the time to appreciate the things we have. We're always wanting what equal to or more than we have.
Until humanity evolves this flaw out you'll never see this issue go away. | |
| 
gatorkram
Spelling and Grammer impared
Premium
join:2002-07-22
Winterville, NC
clubs:
·Suddenlink
 ·Cirtex Hosting
| Asking the wrong people My guess would be, they are asking the wrong people these questions.
If you asked a bunch of non-golf playing people if they thought we had enough places to play golf, you might be surprised when they tell you we already have to many, and that golf is a total waste of good land..
Much like if you asked a bunch of people if they thought their PCs were fast enough, you might get different answers depending on what those people do with their PCs. Ask any gamer, and you will get different answers than MR and MS email checker..
My point is, sure maybe a lot of people out there are happy with their speeds, but if you could get them to see what they are missing, or what we all might be able to have if we all had more, you surely would get more people wanting more.
If you took that same poll right now on this site, are people happy with their current speeds, I will tell you right now, it won't be %85 being happy.
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Give me bandwidth or give me death!
»/testhistory/661871/4f240 | |
| Daddio1949
join:2000-12-13
Rockville, MD
| No Big Deal - U.S. Consumers Pay More For Triple Play I find this article quite irrelevant.
A year ago I spent 10 days in the United Kingdom. While I did not have an opportunity to check the price for telecom bundles, I can definitely say that the cost of living there is much higher. I would pay our prices for food, goods, and telecon services than what they pay there. So, highlighting a single item seems to be quite unimportant in whole scheme of things. | |
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