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story category Comcast Successfully Delays Philly FiOS
After warning city council of issues they couldn't care less about....
(old news - 10:36AM Friday Dec 12 2008)
tags: legal · Video · Fiber · competition · business · alternatives · cable · Politics · HDTV · Comcast · Verizon FIOS
The past few weeks, we've been following Comcast's efforts to slow Verizon's entry into the cable giant's hometown market of Philadelphia, by warning city council that Verizon would only deploy to areas with the highest ROI -- and FiOSTV's entry into the market won't necessarily mean lower TV prices. Neither is untrue, but Comcast's pretense that they're concerned with either is a stretch. The carrier also attacked the volume and quality of Verizon's HD offerings despite offering substantially fewer channels (34 to 107). The attacks seem to have worked, as a Philly FiOS TV franchise approval process that was almost mindlessly flying toward completion has been delayed, with previously ramification-oblivious city council members suddenly concerned with progressing carefully.

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Forums » Comcast Successfully Delays Philly FiOS
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ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
clubs:

Comcast is scared....

They are scared of a good competing product on their home turf, and will obviously do everythigng they can do to stall/squash it.

If Comcast has a superior product, they have nothing to worry about.

Rick
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT
clubs:

Re: Comcast is scared....

You fail to consider how allowing them entry could in fact raise prices higher than normal in time.
That could happen in one of two ways.
First..if you allow another company to simply cherry pick the highest ROI customers..you create an imbalance that saddles Comcast with the rest. Who gets to pay for that in the form of higher prices? All the rest.

Secondly, we've all seen the news of verizons massive loss of landlines and dsl customers. There is NOTHING conducive in that which will allow verizon to be particularly price competitive in the years ahead and if anything..due to the high cost of the rollout itself..could cause them to RAISE prices higher than normal. What might comcasts move then have to be? To do the same because all verizon would have done is to cannibalize customers who otherwise might have allowed them to keep prices lower.

--
The Coyote captured the RR! Roadrunner Rick is now Comcastic!
moonpuppy

join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: Comcast is scared....

said by Rick See Profile :

You fail to consider how allowing them entry could in fact raise prices higher than normal in time.
That could happen in one of two ways.
First..if you allow another company to simply cherry pick the highest ROI customers..you create an imbalance that saddles Comcast with the rest. Who gets to pay for that in the form of higher prices? All the rest.

Secondly, we've all seen the news of verizons massive loss of landlines and dsl customers. There is NOTHING conducive in that which will allow verizon to be particularly price competitive in the years ahead and if anything..due to the high cost of the rollout itself..could cause them to RAISE prices higher than normal. What might comcasts move then have to be? To do the same because all verizon would have done is to cannibalize customers who otherwise might have allowed them to keep prices lower.
Your first point only works if FIOS were to manage to lure a lot of people away from Comcast. If Comcast had a superior product, then this would be a non-argument.

You second point, so far, has not shown itself. In fact, neither Comcast nor FIOS really compete on price but on how many features (channels, VOD, etc.)

Are you really auguring that competition brings higher prices? Hasn't the lack of competition also caused rates to go up?

n2jtx

join:2001-01-13
Glen Head, NY
·Optimum Online

Re: Comcast is scared....

said by moonpuppy See Profile :

Your first point only works if FIOS were to manage to lure a lot of people away from Comcast. If Comcast had a superior product, then this would be a non-argument.

You second point, so far, has not shown itself. In fact, neither Comcast nor FIOS really compete on price but on how many features (channels, VOD, etc.)
You are quite correct on this. I have a choice between FiOS and Cablevision and there is no price advantage from switching between one or the other. On this point alone, Cablevision has managed to retain a significant market share in areas where FiOS is available. As for me, I am sticking with CV because it works and I have no complaints. If FiOS came along with a steep discount, I might be willing to talk but that is not going to happen.

PGHammer

join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
·Comcast

Re: Comcast is scared....

Absent price or service as a factor, most people don't change service providers. (Why fix what isn't broken?) However, Comcast has steadfastly stated, and publicly, that they will not compete (with FIOS, U-Verse, or anyone else) based on price. This leaves their competitors free to undercut Comcast in this area (which VZ has, in fact, started to do; the only reason I'm switching is because VZ has managed to adjust programming prices downward enough to offset Comcast's dual advantages in lower STB lease costs and not needing STBs for cable-ready TVs). Comcast has likely not taken a look at VZ's current bundle pricing, compared to their own (unless that is exactly *why* they have managed to slow Verizon up, because the recent programming-price changes have them worried?).
mrvid

join:2007-06-19
Levittown, NY


1 edit

ROI & cherry picking do not go hand in hand/price based on costs

To all who convieniently mix up these terms, lets clarify.. cherry picking neighborhoods with a higher ROI or higher income neighborhoods means 2 very different things. While I would think, any company has to offer services where they think it would be needed, of higher income vs lower income neighborhoods, neither guarantees customers in one area will want more features, channels, services over another.

On ROI, why don't we see ice cream trucks driving around in the snow with chains on the tires; what are the chances of selling a lot of ice cream in 0 degree weather. Yes, someone may buy it but I wouldn't think many. As with any business, there has to be a return on the investment or it doesn't pay to invest.

As far as price, can you sell a $1.00 candy bar for $0.75 and stay in business. Verizon has to make sure they can make a profit, I think their pricing has been very fair when you consider what they offer compared to their competition.

My feelings, Philly's getting cheated and if I was a Philly resident, i'd be angry; thankfully for me, i'm not.

Rick
Premium,MVM
join:2001-02-06
Waterbury, CT
clubs:

"Hasn't the lack of competition also caused rates to go up?"

I don't think that Comcast, nor most tv companies for that matter..have unfairly raised prices and in fact...todays prices reflect a far better value than they used to.

I don't know about you..but back in the day I used to pay 300.00 a month for dial up internet by the hour.
Today..it's 20 to 50 dollars depending on who we're talking about.
Back in the day I used to get a few channels in black and white. Today..it's dvr's and high def and widescreen and color.

Prices are higher..but so too is quality and speeds and dependability.

Despite some having a monopoly over the years..it's created a lot of innovation and value.

Year after year..comcast has raised HSI speeds and features..and charged zero dollars more for it.
Does that sound like a monopoly abusing it's power to you?
It certainly doesn't to me.

What has caused rates to go DOWN however for many consumers..is bundling of products.
And that's why so many landlines and dsl customers are fleeing the telco's. Because people are getting better deals by doing just that.

This is a sign of how a company growing larger and people moving more services to them DOES lower prices.

I stand by my comments. I'm not against competition..nor against Verizon going into areas with fios. I think it's a good technology and wouldn't mind having that choice myself.
But it does need to be thought through for the reasons I mentioned. It COULD lead to higher prices overall and actually be self defeating. People are failing to realize how the loss of landlines and dsl will be devastating to this company in the years ahead. And how it may weaken them.
There is nothing conducive in that..combined with the high costs of a fios rollout..to fios in the years ahead being an inexpensive product. Again...I ask the question...what good does that do for consumers if all you did was to serve to weaken the other company?

You cause prices to go UP for everyone.
--
The Coyote captured the RR! Roadrunner Rick is now Comcastic!
moonpuppy

join:2000-08-21
Glen Burnie, MD
·Verizon Online DSL

Re: Comcast is scared....

said by Rick See Profile :

"Hasn't the lack of competition also caused rates to go up?"

I don't think that Comcast, nor most tv companies for that matter..have unfairly raised prices and in fact...todays prices reflect a far better value than they used to.

I don't know about you..but back in the day I used to pay 300.00 a month for dial up internet by the hour.
Today..it's 20 to 50 dollars depending on who we're talking about.
Back in the day I used to get a few channels in black and white. Today..it's dvr's and high def and widescreen and color.

Prices are higher..but so too is quality and speeds and dependability.

Despite some having a monopoly over the years..it's created a lot of innovation and value.

Year after year..comcast has raised HSI speeds and features..and charged zero dollars more for it.
Does that sound like a monopoly abusing it's power to you?
It certainly doesn't to me.
You may think they represent a better value but I know for a fact that competition lowers prices and/or has more features. In my area, there were 2 cable companies that were constantly competing. In the rest of the area with just Comcast, you had to pay for The Disney Channel, Home Team Sports and a couple of others that the competition area had as part of their package. And the prices were lower than the monopoly area.

And yes, I do remember the days of Compuserve and Delphi. I also remember when AOL came in and offered unlimited dial up which forced others to do the same thing and the prices came down.

said by Rick See Profile :

What has caused rates to go DOWN however for many consumers..is bundling of products.
And that's why so many landlines and dsl customers are fleeing the telco's. Because people are getting better deals by doing just that.

This is a sign of how a company growing larger and people moving more services to them DOES lower prices.
Many are leaving DSL for FIOS so all those DSL customers are not total losses. And we have already seen how Comcast can screw up a simple phone connection. (Remember the granny with a hammer story?)

The prices don't go down. I have yet to see Comcast lower their prices. It hasn't happened. Your argument will be they added more which is NOT the same.

said by Rick See Profile :

I stand by my comments. I'm not against competition..nor against Verizon going into areas with fios. I think it's a good technology and wouldn't mind having that choice myself.
But it does need to be thought through for the reasons I mentioned. It COULD lead to higher prices overall and actually be self defeating. People are failing to realize how the loss of landlines and dsl will be devastating to this company in the years ahead. And how it may weaken them.
There is nothing conducive in that..combined with the high costs of a fios rollout..to fios in the years ahead being an inexpensive product. Again...I ask the question...what good does that do for consumers if all you did was to serve to weaken the other company?

You cause prices to go UP for everyone.
Are you serious? You are fully against any OTHER company coming in on Comcast's turf. I could use your same argument that the Comcast phone service is causing people to flee landlines and causing higher prices for those who can't get their voice service.

You are fully against any competition because of who you work for.

And how do I cause prices to go up? If FIOS can do it better than Comcast, which in my case they did, then why should anyone not be allowed the choice of cable TV carriers? You sound like Comcast did when DirectTV came in and you guys were paying $400 to people who would switch to you and ditched DirectTV.

Try again.

tubbynet
reminds me of the danse russe
Premium
join:2008-01-16
Chandler, AZ
·Cox HSI
·Callcentric
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·FrontierNet Intern..

said by Rick See Profile :

in fact raise prices higher than normal in time.
do you mean faster than they do on their own with all of their unfees and below the line adjustments?

said by Rick See Profile :

First..if you allow another company to simply cherry pick the highest ROI customers..you create an imbalance that saddles Comcast with the rest.
not if comcast could actually compete with verizon in terms of features. again, fios is a buzzword. its something cool and hip. if comcast would compete with fios in terms of offered value-adds or even (*gasp*) prices...comcast wouldn't lose anything to the "higher roi areas". more cable shilling....

said by Rick See Profile :

There is NOTHING conducive in that which will allow verizon to be particularly price competitive in the years ahead and if anything..due to the high cost of the rollout itself..could cause them to RAISE prices higher than normal. What might comcasts move then have to be?
hmmmm...maybe not worry about investor profits for a year or two, suck it up, keep your prices low, and win your subs back? again, if comcast were really confident in where they stand, they wouldn't be spreading this fud.

said by Rick See Profile :

I don't think that Comcast, nor most tv companies for that matter..have unfairly raised prices and in fact...todays prices reflect a far better value than they used to.
just because technology advances, doesn't mean you have to pay more for it. in fact, my computers that i purchase today are *much* faster than my 286 and....guess what...i didn't have to pay more to get them...
epic fail again, rick. technology advances. as it advances, the costs of production drop. technology gets cheaper (unless you live on the bleeding edge) as time goes on.

said by Rick See Profile :

Prices are higher..but so too is quality and speeds and dependability.
like over-compressed hd video, consistently bottom customer service rankings, and techs/contractors that kill animals, people, and fill my house with sewage? much better quality of workmanship there.

said by Rick See Profile :

Despite some having a monopoly over the years..it's created a lot of innovation and value.
and a lot of higher fees. you skated *just* underneath anti-trust there rick.

said by Rick See Profile :

Year after year..comcast has raised HSI speeds and features..and charged zero dollars more for it.
Does that sound like a monopoly abusing it's power to you?
It certainly doesn't to me.
no, but we have new caps and just because you look at *one* service does not mean the other two haven't gone up...take off the blinders

said by Rick See Profile :

What has caused rates to go DOWN however for many consumers..is bundling of products.
unless you live in an area where you can't bundle, or you don't want to get shafted by the cable company three different ways. way to *slowly* move more towards a monopoly of the media services.

said by Rick See Profile :

And that's why so many landlines and dsl customers are fleeing the telco's. Because people are getting better deals by doing just that.
landlines are antiquated technology that most *younger* people see no value to. they have their cell phones. in ten years, this will be the same with coaxial cable from the mso. high speed internet connections will remove the need for cable. oh wait, i can't go over my caps. nevermind.

said by Rick See Profile :

I stand by my comments. I'm not against competition..nor against Verizon going into areas with fios.
unless it's comcast's home turf.

said by Rick See Profile :

wouldn't mind having that choice myself.
you'd have to go into work wearing a scarlet *v* on your chest.

said by Rick See Profile :

There is nothing conducive in that..combined with the high costs of a fios rollout..to fios in the years ahead being an inexpensive product. Again...I ask the question...what good does that do for consumers if all you did was to serve to weaken the other company?
i'm sorry, all i heard was ...blah, blah, blah...cable must stay strong.
again, if you walk softly and carry a big stick, let your products speak for your sleazy marketing and spreading of fud. you are going to raise rates with or without verizon. i love how your argument hinges on the fact that "verizon is going to take all of the rich subs, so we can't support ourselves". free market at work rick. can't handle it. fold under.

said by Rick See Profile :

You cause prices to go UP for everyone.
nope, the cartel-like structure of the msos/telcos causes prices to go up. i thought we've all made that perfectly clear.

q.

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
clubs:

Re: Comcast is scared....

As always, my hats off to you for a great post.
BigDog

join:2008-12-12
Montpelier, VT

Re: Comcast is scared....

Huh?

cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:


1 edit
Excellent post, I agree with every word of it.

I posted this in the Comcast forums, but here, so it get's more exposure on the front page...

I think it's complete bullshit that Philly's City Council is delaying the Verizon FIOS vote. Everyone I've talked to, ether non-technical or technical person, ALL SAY THE SAME THING. They want CHOICE. People are tired of having very limited options when it comes to cable services. DirecTV/Dish don't always count. Not everyone lives in a place where a dish could work. We haven't advanced DirecTV's dish like we have a Sirius / XM antenna. We may never get that far either.

Anyway, how can the council members deny Verizon? Just do a side by side comparison. Channel lineup cards, DVR software, Set top features, Broadband speeds, and Price. Not only is Verizon technically better, IT IS BETTER. They will deploy GPON and will provide 100+ MB/s speeds when the market calls for it. They already have 100+ HD Channels as well as HD-VOD. They have Multi Room DVR, they have web based DVR scheduling, they have games widgets and much better searching on their set tops. They are over 1000 times better than Comcast, and I would switch in a heartbeat. Everyone I know would switch. Our caveat is that Verizon has no intrest in my area. Philly on the other hand, being a big city, has plenty of potential. It would be in the cities best intrest to let Verizon come in there.

All cable can do is spend tons of money and time trying to stop Verizon. That's the most misguided and wasteful spending I've ever seen in my life. Instead of having a hissy fit like a fu*king 3 year old, Comcast needs to funnel that time and money into actually making their network comparable with Fios. I'm sorry but 30 HD channels is only a fraction of Verizon's 100+. Sorry but Comcast doesn't allow you to do Multi Room DVR. Sorry but if your into fantasy sports your not going to play it on your Comcast box. Only Verizon can think of cool features like that. Comcast is a f'ing JOKE compared to Verizon.

Fios is what the city needs. If anything it will take Verizon to light the fire under Comcast ass. IMO the Government should have NO SAY in this. If a company has the capital and wants to make a business venture in that area, LET THEM. It benefits the economy. Gives customers choice, creates jobs, causes competition that INNOVATES. How many times do you see one bank across the street from another? I know two Chinese restaurants less than a quarter mile from each other. How many times are two, three or even four different fast food chains right next or across from each other? We have many areas with different gas stations right across the street from each other. It's called competition, get used to it. Comcast needs to grow up. They have nothing to worry about if their product is top notch. But they must be shaking in their boots with all negative comments and lobbying they are doing against Verizon.

myosh

join:2001-05-03
Cupertino, CA
·Pacific Bell - SBC

said by Rick See Profile :

Year after year..comcast has raised HSI speeds and features..and charged zero dollars more for it.
Does that sound like a monopoly abusing it's power to you?
It certainly doesn't to me.
Comcast hasn't touched HSI prices because they're screwing the TV subs with annual (or sometimes twice annual) price hikes. I dumped HSI for DSL five years ago because of poor service and the high price and in those 5 years, my DSL rates have increased once while my cable TV rates were increased at least 8 times.

If Verizon FIOS were available where I live, I'd dump my Comcast TV service in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, AT&T dominates the S.F. Bay Area the chances of getting FIOS are slim to none.
andyman

join:2001-02-08
Doylestown, PA

I just dumped comcast tv for directv, as soon as fios is available on my street I will be dumping comcast internet as well.

My monthly bill went from about $80 at the beginning of 2008 to over $115 without adding any services. I'm tired of their bullshit promotions that you have to call and threaten to leave so they give you another one.

I have FIOS at my office and the pricing has been the same for 2 years and no connection problems, unlike comcast going out every 6 weeks or so.
hottboiinnc
ME

join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH
not in my area. Cable rates have been the same for years. Cable HSI rates have been the same for years too. No price increases with Buckeye Cable. Smaller cable companies can keep their prices low. larger companies raise.

knightmb
Everybody Lies

join:2003-12-01
Franklin, TN
·AT&T DSL Service


1 edit

Re: Comcast is scared....

said by hottboiinnc See Profile :

not in my area. Cable rates have been the same for years. Cable HSI rates have been the same for years too. No price increases with Buckeye Cable. Smaller cable companies can keep their prices low. larger companies raise.
Complete agreement. My ISP keeps rates the same and has caused AT&T, Comcast, & Clearwire to lower their rates in our service area to compete, but customers still don't switch. Why? Because the service is good and stable. It may not be as fast as what AT&T or Comcast offer, but people value stable, reliable, uncapped connections than the fastest *sorta works sometimes with caps and non-English speaking tech support* anytime.

Treating customers with respect has more value than the fastest connection could ever offer.
--
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Click Here to pollute their data
hottboiinnc
ME

join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH
·Time Warner Cable
·buckeye cable

Re: Comcast is scared....

very true. all of Buckeye's Help Desk employees are based here in Toledo, are actual residents here, they use their services just like the rest of the people and chances are used them well before being employed by them.

If you call the Help Desk at AT&T 9 out of 10times you won't get someone in your own state or region let alone in the same country. And if the Help Desk can't fix your problem on the phone that SAME week you get a tech to your house free of charge no questions ask they come out and fix the problem.

We actually have the fastest internet in NW Ohio 20Megs down and 1 meg up. Digital Phone starting at $13.50 before taxes--rounds out to $20ish with a few taxes not a big deal. Plus that includes free long distance in 419/567 area codes here. ATT wants $30 for their basic U-Verse package.

But instead of ATT trying to beat on price and local service they're reps are going door to door telling people that in Feb 2009 their cable TV won't work anymore due to its not IPTV from ATT. I'm surprised the Cable company hasnt issued lawsuit against them yet for flat out lying. Hell, i'm surprised nobody in town has sued ATT yet for false-advertising with that.

Ignite
Premium,VIP
join:2004-03-18
UK
clubs:
'Comcast Rick' giving pro-Comcast comments, who'd have thought. That he appears to think he's being taken seriously is the more bizarre thing.

major marco
Res Firma Mitescere Nescit
Premium
join:2003-02-13
Stepford, CA
clubs:

said by Rick See Profile :

You fail to consider how allowing them entry could in fact raise prices higher than normal in time.
That could happen in one of two ways.
First..if you allow another company to simply cherry pick the highest ROI customers..you create an imbalance that saddles Comcast with the rest. Who gets to pay for that in the form of higher prices? All the rest.
Wow. Use circular arguments much?

said by Rick See Profile :

Secondly, we've all seen the news of verizons massive loss of landlines and dsl customers. There is NOTHING conducive in that which will allow verizon to be particularly price competitive in the years ahead and if anything..due to the high cost of the rollout itself..could cause them to RAISE prices higher than normal. What might comcasts move then have to be? To do the same because all verizon would have done is to cannibalize customers who otherwise might have allowed them to keep prices lower.

Landlines have zip to do with Internet connectivity and pricetag. FiOS is "price competitive" based on the simple fact there aren't any caps. That alone is what's going to kill Comcrap regardless of whatever circular logic you spew.
--
The Toll

Tracking Lord Stanley

competefairgrnds

@sbcglobal.net

Re: Comcast is scared....

I'm all for competition, but as far as availability, if Comcast has to abide by franchise rules, then so should Verizon. If they are competing for similar services, they should both abide by state franchise rules. It is unfair for Verizon to freely jump in and cherry pick "rich neighborhoods" without serving "the rest of us", and yet be allowed to offer similar product offerings.
JohnA
Premium
join:2003-09-16
Pittsburgh, PA

Re: Comcast is scared....

said by competefairgrnds :

It is unfair for Verizon to freely jump in and cherry pick "rich neighborhoods" without serving "the rest of us",
There is no verifiable instance of that occurring. They wire the good, the bad, AND the ugly areas. You people all act like there are some parts of an area they won't go into. They're already there. All those ugly areas already have Verizon phone lines to every address. They wire one CO at a time, and they do it all, whether you live there, or I live there.
BosstonesOwn

join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast

Don't even bother , he has great service and there fore every one else is wrong.

Like cable didn't cherry pick when they first started rolling out either. I mean really no company is in this to make money to grow more , they are all in it to make sure the customer is happy and thats all that matters.

Comcast makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside when they stand up to the mean telcos and help us consumers out like this.

I for one welcome our new entertainment overlords comcast , and may I say as a qualified entertainment consumer i should be kept around to help get other customers from the nasty big company telcos turned over to the light side of comcast.
--
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!"
saturation p

join:2002-06-07
Philadelphia, PA

Sorry Rick you have bad info.
"First..if you allow another company to simply cherry pick the highest ROI customers..you create an imbalance that saddles Comcast with the rest. Who gets to pay for that in the form of higher prices? All the rest."

Uh, no. Verizon and city council have already agreed to a plan that would spread the deployment out in the initial phase to prevent ROI redlining. The agreement would have made at least two thirds of the initial areas to be offered FIOS in poorer neighborhoods. With the entire city to be wired in I believe seven years.

Your second point makes even less sense because Verizon will have to charge what the market will bear. That is the advantage of competition being good for the consumer.

I canceled my Comcast video because of poor customer service and defective equipment. Competition will make them better off.
MrSpock29

join:2008-02-09
Hammonton, NJ

said by Rick See Profile :

You fail to consider how allowing them entry could in fact raise prices higher than normal in time.
That could happen in one of two ways.
First..if you allow another company to simply cherry pick the highest ROI customers..you create an imbalance that saddles Comcast with the rest. Who gets to pay for that in the form of higher prices? All the rest.

Secondly, we've all seen the news of verizons massive loss of landlines and dsl customers. There is NOTHING conducive in that which will allow verizon to be particularly price competitive in the years ahead and if anything..due to the high cost of the rollout itself..could cause them to RAISE prices higher than normal. What might comcasts move then have to be? To do the same because all verizon would have done is to cannibalize customers who otherwise might have allowed them to keep prices lower.

Only you could find a way to say that increased competition raises prices

DSL has lost customers, some of their DSL customers have gone to FiOS. As far as landlines, many people are going wireless. If only Verizon could become the top dog in wireless. Oh wait, they are.

Now, since you raise cost issues, you do realize that the cost of rollout has dropped substantially? And if you were correct, why haven't their prices risen like you are saying they should where they have already deployed?
itguy05

join:2005-06-17
Camp Hill, PA

Re: Comcast is scared....

quote:
f only Verizon could become the top dog in wireless. Oh wait, they are.
Only by buying Alltel. Before that the top dog was AT&T. And Verizon's wireless is the NOTwork. They do have a good ad department though.

PGHammer

join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
·Comcast

Re: Comcast is scared....

Oh? What problems did you have with VZW?

I'm a former INpulse customer that had no problems (I don't use INpulse now due to reasons unrelated to the service), and my Mom's been a VZW customer for years. I'd taken the phone on trips (I had originally bought it for a four-night/five-day vacation in Las Vegas, which is smack dab in Sprint's front yard; it would work even where Sprint's own phones would not) and never had it fail.
Never had a problem calling other VZW phones. Never had a problem calling landlines. The only times I had a problem calling another (non-VZW) cell phone was due to holes in the other carrier's network (Sprint and AT&T were the only non-VZW cell carriers I tried to call).

Roaming charges? Never got whacked with roaming charges (not even in Las Vegas). SO, again, I have to ask; what were your problems with VZW?
hottboiinnc
ME

join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH
·Time Warner Cable
·buckeye cable

Their not the #1 largest carrier in America YET! deal has to be finished before that can be claimed.

But that will only be for a short time until the new Admin. says that all the telco's and cell phone companies are too big and split them all up and make them shed their cell phone business off.

Part of this merger should have been agreed that they keep the Alltel employees too which Toledo/Maumee knows we'll have more laid off people here due VZ will close the Toledo Market Corp. Office.
BosstonesOwn

join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast

Re: Comcast is scared....

said by hottboiinnc See Profile :

Their not the #1 largest carrier in America YET! deal has to be finished before that can be claimed.

But that will only be for a short time until the new Admin. says that all the telco's and cell phone companies are too big and split them all up and make them shed their cell phone business off.

Part of this merger should have been agreed that they keep the Alltel employees too which Toledo/Maumee knows we'll have more laid off people here due VZ will close the Toledo Market Corp. Office.
Its a business.

Right now in this country we need to trim the fat and let the muscle do the lifting. And these businesses are starting to do this.

You can't be so greedy and force them to keep people around.
--
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!"
hottboiinnc
ME

join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH
·Time Warner Cable
·buckeye cable

Re: Comcast is scared....

yah you can.

Anyone remember the VZW and Cell One Merger of Ohio? BAD MOVE! Alltel VZ merger is going to be another. Cingular and ATT was a bad move...customers treated like 2nd rate citizens by the carriers.

VZW up here in Toledo already is treating their customers like shit. I just heard a story tonight about a lady was 2 days late paying her bill called and talked to the Dublin Ohio call center and said it would be fine and they would put it in...went into pay her bill and upgrade her phone and they made the remark in a STORE OWNED BY VZW that how can she afford a new phone if she couldnt pay her bill by the due date. that was flat our rude and something should have been done but will most likely be done.

But That's what happens when mergers go and the good people are tossed out at the assholes are kept. And the companies wonder why shit happens just like Spent and Nextel. good employees from Nextel are let go and everything goes to Sprint's brand CSRs treat you like shit and Tech support isnt any better. Hell their own stores will tell you to leave if you tell them that its none of their business you want something done on your plan when they question why you want to add items.

ptrowski
Got Helix?
Premium
join:2005-03-14
Putnam, CT
clubs:
·VOIPo
·Metrocast Communic..
·AT&T DSL Service
·ViaTalk

I did not fail to consider it Rick, I remember your arguement from the last thread about Fios in Philly. It is NOT going to raise prices due to some cherry picking, let's be real here. If the offerings Comcast has are a superior product, then they will not lose their any subscribers. Pretty cut and dry there.

As for landlines, etc, that should only help Comcast's stability by picking up some of those people, now wouldn't it? That is not going to make them jack up the prices on Fios right after they get into PA. You are using the same scare tactics that Comcast obviously used in Philly. Prices are going to rise no matter what, we have all seen that.

So do you disagree that competition is not good for the market and consumers?
--
"So, Lone Star, now you see that evil will always triumph because good is dumb."

Have you been touched by his noodly appendage? »www.venganza.org

Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept

join:2004-06-26
Pot and Kettle.
--

PGHammer

join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
·Comcast

said by Rick See Profile :

You fail to consider how allowing them entry could in fact raise prices higher than normal in time.
That could happen in one of two ways.
First..if you allow another company to simply cherry pick the highest ROI customers..you create an imbalance that saddles Comcast with the rest. Who gets to pay for that in the form of higher prices? All the rest.

Secondly, we've all seen the news of verizons massive loss of landlines and dsl customers. There is NOTHING conducive in that which will allow verizon to be particularly price competitive in the years ahead and if anything..due to the high cost of the rollout itself..could cause them to RAISE prices higher than normal. What might comcasts move then have to be? To do the same because all verizon would have done is to cannibalize customers who otherwise might have allowed them to keep prices lower.

Both the massive landline loss and DSL customer loss were going to happen *anyway*. (Also, how many of both losses are to other parts of VZ? Specifically, landline losses to VZW and DSL losses actually being FIOS crossgrades or conversions?). All the RBOCs are in the same position when it comes to landline losses; VZ, as the second-largest, is going to suffer a larger impact than say, Qwest.

Rick, VZ knows as well as both of us and Comcast that absent either service differences or price differences, or both, most folks won't switch service providers (for anything); in fact, the entire reason CDV is gaining customers from VZ (or anyone else) is price. (So says Comcast's own ads.) VZ has, in fact, woken up and smelled the coffee; they have adjusted their programming prices for FIOS TV to offset Comcast's advantages (lower lease rates for STBs, and especially in most of Philadelphia, not needing STBs for cable-ready TVs).

Look, I have nothing against Comcast as a company (they have provided good service to me since 1999 for cable TV, and 2000 for HSI); however, I refuse to buy Comcast's argument that VZ will not compete on price (which they certainly will), or even that Comcast won't compete on price (which they are certainly doing with CDV). When you have two companies in the same business, on the same turf, the only way one can gain customers from the other is to compete - either on price or on level/quality of service. (Or, naturally, both.)

FioS tech75

@verizon.com

from:
Eddy120876 See Profile

Does comcast offer "telephone service" in this area? YES, so therefore, Verizon should be allowed to offer Video service.. it really IS that simple.

xdeadhead
220, 221, Whatever It Takes.
Premium
join:2000-11-08
Mechanicsburg, PA

Re: Comcast is scared....

ive been saying that for 5 years now at least. and yes, it is that simple.

cdru
Go Colts
Premium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN

said by Rick See Profile :

First..if you allow another company to simply cherry pick the highest ROI customers..you create an imbalance that saddles Comcast with the rest. Who gets to pay for that in the form of higher prices? All the rest.
Please cite a SINGLE verifiable instance where Verizon cherry picked the highest ROI customers? And I don't mean when they just start deploying in one section of town and get to a "lower ROI" part later in the deployment process.
nasadude

join:2001-10-05
Rockville, MD
comcast isn't scared, this is the way broadband companies compete in the U.S.:

sue to stop competitor deployment, if that doesn't work buy legislation to stop competition.

SlickEnW
Premium
join:2003-01-21
Seattle, WA
clubs:
·Comcast

Wow.

Crapcast you never cease to amaze me. You are touted as the nations largest ISP, yet you feel threatened by YouTube (bandwidth constraints) and refuse to fight on your own turf (Fios deployement).

Some how you find a way to stifle creativity amongst the masses while hindering innovation and people still want to give you money.

Shame.
BosstonesOwn

join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast

Re: Wow.

said by SlickEnW See Profile :

Crapcast you never cease to amaze me. You are touted as the nations largest ISP, yet you feel threatened by YouTube (bandwidth constraints) and refuse to fight on your own turf (Fios deployement).

Some how you find a way to stifle creativity amongst the masses while hindering innovation and people still want to give you money.

Shame.
Some people have no other choices.

I had to dump my dish and dvr in favor of a tivo and comcast because the apartment building next door refuses to trim their trees. They apparently add shade during the summer so the people can enjoy walking on the tar road to their car.

Stupid building management companies.
--
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!"
probboy

join:2008-01-10
Natick, MA

Fewer HD channels

"[D]espite offering substantially fewer channels (34 to 107)"

I always love the quantity over quality aspect over this topic. Getting 107 HD channels sure sounds better than getting 34, but if the bulk of them are crap (granted, good looking crap), what's the point?

bull3964

@stargate.net

Re: Fewer HD channels

But you get neither quality NOR quantity with Comcast. With them cramming 3 HD channels per QAM channel, half of those 34 stations can barely be called HD to begin with since they dissolve in a mosaic of macroblocks the instant any fast motion is on the screen.

Comcast is scared to compete, plain and simple. They would much rather spend their money on giant tv screens for their Philly office than dump it back into the last mile infrastructure which is in dire need of an overhaul over much of the country.

darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
Premium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast

One person's "crap" is another person's preferred programming By offering a wide-range of programming it seems to me that FiOS can meet the needs of a wider range audience.

And let's face it, all cable/satellite providers are playing the numbers game -- Comcast included ("let's see if we can confuse the consumer and talk about 'HD choices' instead of the number of HD channels").

Anyhow, given the choice between more HD channels (60+ in the Extreme HD package), better quality HD channels, abd higher Internet speed (20/20, no caps) versus less HD channels (34 max in my market), less bandwidth per HD channel (e.g. worse picture quality) crap Internet speeds (our neighborhood node sucked the last six months I was on it), and raising prices while removing channels, it was a no-brainer in my case.
afiggatt

join:2007-07-12
Sterling, VA

said by probboy See Profile :

"[D]espite offering substantially fewer channels (34 to 107)"

I always love the quantity over quality aspect over this topic. Getting 107 HD channels sure sounds better than getting 34, but if the bulk of them are crap (granted, good looking crap), what's the point?
How are the HD channels any more crappy than the SD channels? If your argument is that all those extra channels are showing only SD, you would be wrong. Sure there is a lot of upconverted SD on those channels, but more HD by now than people give them credit for. Last Sunday night, I went channel surfing through the ~90 HD channels I get on Verizon Fios (I don't subscribe to Cinemax but Cinemax is all HD on all their channels anyway). I should have keep a specific count, but at least 80%, maybe 90%, of them were showing true HD programming at that 8 PM hour. I was pleasantly surprised at the HD progress with so many movies in HD, including on the non-premium channels.

Amazing that people try to defend Comcast because who could possibly want more HD channels or that a second landline TV service in Philadelphia would somehow lead to poorer service. Other cities have 2 competing cable companies and they somehow seem to manage to do ok.
JPL
Premium
join:2007-04-04
West Chester, PA
·Verizon FIOS

said by probboy See Profile :

"[D]espite offering substantially fewer channels (34 to 107)"

I always love the quantity over quality aspect over this topic. Getting 107 HD channels sure sounds better than getting 34, but if the bulk of them are crap (granted, good looking crap), what's the point?
Who's to decide what constitutes 'crap'? I have an idea - how about the cable companies give us as many channels as they can in HD, and let US decide which are worth watching and which aren't. With all due respect, this is an insipid argument against expanding HD offerings. Because SOME people don't care for channel X it's not worth having? I don't understand the logic. I understand why Comcast is throwing it around (their ridiculous claim against Verizon because Verizon carries 20 channels that aren't tracked by Nielson).
centc408

join:2008-11-08
Fort Wayne, IN
·Verizon FIOS

Ugh

Okay Comcrap since you won this battle temporarily then get off your hiney and improve the QUALITY of SERVICE.

Comcrap delivers Comcrap HD
Comcrap delivers Comcrap Internet
Comcrap delivers Comcrap Customer Service
Comcrop just SUCKS!!
JSRoman
Premium
join:2005-03-10
Callahan, FL

Re: Ugh

"Comcast this morning stated that the nation's soon to be largest broadband operator would be deploying their new "Extreme 50" 50Mbps DOCSIS 3.0 tier in parts of Baltimore, Chicago, Atlanta, and Fort Wayne, Indiana. "

»Comcast: 50Mbps Now Available In 20% Of Markets
centc408

join:2008-11-08
Fort Wayne, IN

Re: Ugh

I already knew comcrap was going to offer it in my area. I knew it back before thanksgiving and posted about it before the topic was locked.
cornelius785

join:2006-10-26
Worcester, MA

I saw Verizon should sue comcrap

there is bound to be a reason and a lawyer willing to take the case. verizon will get more money to deploy fiber with then. verizon should atleast buy ads, run commercial, send out notices, and so on to say comcrap is lying, here's why, and here's why you should get fios (where available).

funchords
Hello
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-11
Washington, DC
·Verizon Online DSL
·Skype

Re: I say Verizon should sue comcrap

Verizon has lawyers, that's not a problem.

When the issue came up in New Jersey, and the state was debating laws that would allow fiber deployment, Comcast actually prevented Verizon from buying commercial time to run its political ads -- even though Comcast ran ads that advocated its position in the fight.
Hooper
Premium
join:2001-10-22
Villanova, PA

More Pay to Play in Philly

There concerns should read:
1. Whether a minority firm should get an ownership stake in Verizon's Philadelphia operation.
1. My cousing Tracy is out of work and he needs a job that he isn't qualified for.

2. whether sufficient penalties are in the deal to ensure Verizon's performance
2. We need to offset the fact that many more folks are leaving the city than moving into the city. So if you don't wire up the crack houses in North Philly, you need to pay.

3. Whether Verizon is contributing enough to public-access channels
3. You aren't lining our pockets as much as Comcast.

OSUGoose

join:2007-12-27
Columbus, OH
clubs:
·AT&T Midwest
·Cingular Wireless
·Verizon BroadbandA..
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: More Pay to Play in Philly

Sub point to 2

If the PPA wasent reping the citizens so much to cause them to leave the city, this wouldent be a issue. So because we like to double dip, pay us more, while the PPA keeps driving out more people anyways. Win Win for us the city.
russotto

join:2000-10-05
Collegeville, PA

Verizon should just take its football...

and go home. Screw Philadelphia. After the council voted to delay the vote, Verizon made some concessions as to where to wire first. Know what the council did? They said that since delaying the vote got stuff from Verizon, they'll just delay some more and get more. That's pretty much textbook bad-faith negotiation.
BosstonesOwn

join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast

Re: Verizon should just take its football...

no thats pretty much politics.

hold out until you get what you want.

Yet another reason why local franchise agreements are a thing of the past. The local folks are even more corrupt then the larger government folks.
--
"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!"

TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast

Re: Verizon should just take its football...

said by BosstonesOwn See Profile :

no thats pretty much politics.

hold out until you get what you want.

Yet another reason why local franchise agreements are a thing of the past. The local folks are even more corrupt then the larger government folks.
Why PA needs a statewide law like many other states. The local pols are even more corrupt than the state and national pols because the light isn't shone on them by the press as often.
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page
Ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?

funchords
Hello
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-11
Washington, DC
·Verizon Online DSL
·Skype

Re: Verizon should just take its football...

So after the law/rule changes a few years ago that took away most city franchise agreements (if I recall correctly) -- that whatchamacallit that caused the states to make the statewide laws that you're talking about -- can Philadelphia actually keep Verizon out? What's the law here?

TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ
·Sprint Mobile Broa..
·Comcast

Re: Verizon should just take its football...

said by funchords See Profile :

So after the law/rule changes a few years ago that took away most city franchise agreements (if I recall correctly) -- that whatchamacallit that caused the states to make the statewide laws that you're talking about -- can Philadelphia actually keep Verizon out? What's the law here?
I don't think Pa ever passed a statewide franchise law like other states. At least I don't remember them ever doing so.
--
My BLOG .. .. Internet News .. .. My Web Page
Ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?

funchords
Hello
Premium,MVM
join:2001-03-11
Washington, DC

Re: Verizon should just take its football...

Right -- IIRC, that situation means that Verizon could not be stopped by the city. The city is required to allow it.
jtorre69

join:2005-12-26
Hollywood, FL

Verizon will just move on....

If you are able to get FIOS and pass it up you are the town fool. As far as I have read to date Fios lowered prices and caused the MSO's to do soo too. I think Philly is passing up a good opportunity. Listen Verizon! Come to Southeast Florida! We WILL welcome you here!!!!!!!!!!!!

TKJunkMail
Enjoy the sun
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Avalon, NJ

Re: Verizon will just move on....

A month or 2 of delay won't stop Verizon from wiring up Philly. It just means that the local pols need more graft 1st before they vote.

OSUGoose

join:2007-12-27
Columbus, OH
clubs:
·AT&T Midwest
·Cingular Wireless
·Verizon BroadbandA..
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: Verizon will just move on....

Granted, but Verizon so respond to the 2nd delay, saying there going to pass on this round, and wont revisit the city for a decade.

Then when the outcry from the city that city councel prevented verizon to come in gets big enough, they will be beggin Verizon to come back.

Its not like AT&T, verizon, actualy gave some back when they got delayed, while AT&T would just sue the shit out of u.

WiseOldNerd
De gustibus non est disputandum
Premium
join:2001-11-25
Phoenix, AZ
·Cox HSI
·Qwest.net
·Charter Pipeline

Nationalize Them All

Lets just nationalize all the broadcast/communication/entertainment into one big organization and make it "FREE" for everyone so we can end this mindless wrangling over angel count on pinheads.
--
My perception is REALITY
alchav

join:2002-05-17
Palm Desert, CA
·Pacific Bell - SBC

Forget DSL and Copper Landlines!

This is an obsolete technology, and should not even enter into an argument. It's true that all people care about is pricing, they will go with the Company that offers the best packages at the lowest price. The next thing people look for is Quantity, and right now it's HDTV Channels. The Common Person doesn't even know about Quality, they just want plenty of HDTV Channels. So let the Companies compete it will all even out in the long run.

max4224

@verizon.net

Re: Forget DSL and Copper Landlines!

said by alchav See Profile :

...It's true that all people care about is pricing...The next thing people look for is Quantity, and right now it's HDTV Channels. The Common Person doesn't even know about Quality, they just want plenty of HDTV Channels.
Well we know who the winner is on both counts, don't we?

Hosehead

join:2005-01-26
Camp Hill, PA

BIg government...

Sounds like interfering with competition...

Antitrust suit perhaps?

Sounds like just the thing for the new administration to use to begin building big government...
--
Wormleysburg, PA
tlcbob

join:2001-07-11
Harrisburg, PA

My Philly Brothers

Move to Harrisburg where people still have a say (slight) and where we have FIOS TV. To bad the mafia (oops - sorry - comcast) has a strangle hold there. ;(

batterup
I Can Not Tell A Lie.
Premium
join:2003-02-06
Netcong, NJ
clubs:

Comcast is more evil then Dolan.

I want to bring Comcast to its knee. Look at this B.S.
»Please help I need information.

If it is not B.S. give me a link. Yes I did STFW.
Forums » Comcast Successfully Delays Philly FiOS


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