  pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD |  All Part of the Plan
Comcast should have been forced to provide this price point to all of its customers, regardless of income. Why should a majority of Comcast's customers not be allowed to get the best possible deal for this service?
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"Net Neutrality" zealots - the people you can thank for your capped Internet service. | |
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 |  Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 | Re: All Part of the Plan said by pnh102: Why should a majority of Comcast's customers not be allowed to get the best possible deal for this service?
Because the majority of Comcast customers already are paying for service, and don't want another backdoor welfare pgm riding on their backs. I'm glad few get this - it keeps rates from going up even more for those who DO pay.
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The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, I'm from the government and I'm here to help.
»www.politico.com/2012-election/
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| | | | Re: All Part of the Plan another backdoor welfare program I'm glad few get this - it keeps rates from going up even more for those who DO pay. | |
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| | | | It was a negotiation point allowing a backdoor monopolistic consolidation that will cost you money. While $10 connections probably would at least be break-even and not affect your bill. | |
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| | | | I'm sure Comcast still makes money on this 10 dollar plan so how exactly is that welfare? | |
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| | | Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 | Re: All Part of the Plan said by DataRiker:I'm sure Comcast still makes money on this 10 dollar plan so how exactly is that welfare?
Care to prove that? The qtrly reports indicate costs to provide Internet access per residence is higher than that. | |
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| | | |  newviewEx .. Ex .. ExactlyPremium
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD
kudos:1
 ·Vonage
 ·DIRECTV
| Re: All Part of the Plan said by Romney2012:The qtrly reports indicate costs to provide Internet access per residence is higher than that.
... and Comcast has NEVER lied, have they? | |
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| | | |  BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | said by Romney2012:said by DataRiker:I'm sure Comcast still makes money on this 10 dollar plan so how exactly is that welfare?
Care to prove that? The qtrly reports indicate costs to provide Internet access per residence is higher than that. Um the lines are already there. It's not like they are having to provide extra infrastrcuture. In fact I'd say it cost Comcast more to NOT have these people using their internet since Comcast still has to maintain this infrustructure anyways. | |
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| | | | |  jester121Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL
·voip.ms
| Re: All Part of the Plan said by BF69: In fact I'd say it cost Comcast more to NOT have these people using their internet since Comcast still has to maintain this infrustructure anyways.
Wha? :boggle:
Are you thinking the wires call in trouble tickets or receive invoices in the mail? How on earth can it cost Comcast more money to have wires handing on a pole?
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When the zombies come, he will be waiting. | |
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| | | | | | | | Re: All Part of the Plan said by jester121:Are you thinking the wires call in trouble tickets or receive invoices in the mail? How on earth can it cost Comcast more money to have wires handing on a pole?
These are low income plans, the vast majority of low income people live in apartments. The lines are going to get trouble tickets called on them from someone in the building at any given time, and any lines that go down will have trouble tickets called on them whether or not the customer has service.
Yes, it is in their best interests to be getting some sort of return rather than the nothing they get now. | |
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| | | | | | BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | said by jester121:said by BF69: In fact I'd say it cost Comcast more to NOT have these people using their internet since Comcast still has to maintain this infrustructure anyways.
Wha? :boggle: Are you thinking the wires call in trouble tickets or receive invoices in the mail? How on earth can it cost Comcast more money to have wires handing on a pole? Oh I'm sorry Comcast only hires CS reps and guys to repair lines AFTER trouble has been reported? Or are these guys ALREADY being employed by Comcast so their cost is already taken into consideration? | |
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| | | | | | Der_Idiot
join:2008-02-10
Norwood Young America, MN | Actually some municipalities charge a fee to have them hanging there.
And I'm sure the line maintenance guys, trucks, vans, hardware and replacement equipment are all free too. I hate big telco/cable myself, but that doesn't mean I will let myself sit ignorant on the matters.. | |
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| | | | | | | You know how much those lines cost, and what the bill is, plus interest each month, to pay them back? | |
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| | | |  woody7Premium
join:2000-10-13
Torrance, CA | Do you always believe quarterly reports?
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BlooMe | |
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| | | | | Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 | Re: All Part of the Plan said by woody7:Do you always believe quarterly reports?
They are usually pretty informative if you stick to the numbers; read the addenda; and ignore the PR BS in them. | |
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| | | | | said by DataRiker:I'm sure Comcast still makes money on this 10 dollar plan
Based on what? | |
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| | | | Reviews:
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| Re: All Part of the Plan said by fifty nine:said by DataRiker:I'm sure Comcast still makes money on this 10 dollar plan
Based on what? The fact that they are charging only slightly less than what I payed in South Korea for an uncapped cable line.
Just because they massively overcharge on their normal plans doesn't mean 10 dollars a line can't be a money maker. | |
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| | | | quatrixPremium
join:2005-02-11
Davie, FL
kudos:2 | Based on irrational contempt for any "evil" company that tries to make a profit. | |
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| | | | | I don't know if it's welfare but it's not fair that only certain people qualify for it. | |
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| | | | | | Re: All Part of the Plan Did you know that all Comcast employees residing in an area serviced by Comcast are eligible for free cable and HSI? They still have to pay equipment fees, VOD, PPV and voice, albeit at heavily reduced rates.
There is nothing fair about Comcast. | |
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| | | | | Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 | Re: All Part of the Plan said by verolom:Did you know that all Comcast employees residing in an area serviced by Comcast are eligible for free cable and HSI? They still have to pay equipment fees, VOD, PPV and voice, albeit at heavily reduced rates.
There is nothing fair about Comcast.
And how is giving their own employees a perk of employment, and also by the way a ready made beta test group, unfair?
Airlines give employees free trips; auto companies sell employees cars at cost, retailers give employees sales discounts, etc.
Why do you think that is unfair?
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The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, I'm from the government and I'm here to help.
»www.politico.com/2012-election/
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| | | | | | | | Re: All Part of the Plan Because they are willing to shift the cost of offering these services onto their customers and get a tax break in the process. So if they can do that for tens of thousands of employees, why can't they do it for low income customers especially since it was a part of the agreement to buy NBC-Universal?
The fact that other companies are also discounting their products/services for their employees or affiliates does not make it fair -- it is arbitrary, subjective, corruptive and as you point out, a fact of life. | |
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| | | | | | | Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 | Re: All Part of the Plan said by verolom: So if they can do that for tens of thousands of employees, why can't they do it for low income customers especially since it was a part of the agreement to buy NBC-Universal?
How about because the employees make a contribution to the organization's success and are rewarded for their efforts. And the low income customers are a cost EXTORTED from Comcast by the welfare government in Wash,DC in order to keep the serfs beholden for the handouts.
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The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, I'm from the government and I'm here to help.
»www.politico.com/2012-election/
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| | | | | | | | | | Re: All Part of the Plan Extorted?! Stop kidding yourself, nobody extorts Comcast. It is run by thugs and charlatans. It makes the South Philly mafia look like saints. It treats everyone like crap, not just their customers, but their employees, business partners, vendors, city, state and federal officials.
They don't need you to be their apologist. | |
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| | | | | | | That's different. It's called an employee benefit. I have no problem with that. | |
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| | pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | said by Romney2012:Because the majority of Comcast customers already are paying for service, and don't want another backdoor welfare pgm riding on their backs. I'm glad few get this - it keeps rates from going up even more for those who DO pay.
I agree with you in spirit, but if Comcast, as expected, can easily weasel out of this part of the deal, then the merger between it and NBC should be dissolved.
As always, the blame goes strictly on the government at all levels which rubber-stamped this merger. Shame on all of them.
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"Net Neutrality" zealots - the people you can thank for your capped Internet service. | |
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| |  vpokoPremium
join:2003-07-03
Boston, MA | said by Romney2012:Because the majority of Comcast customers already are paying for service, and don't want another backdoor welfare pgm riding on their backs. I'm glad few get this - it keeps rates from going up even more for those who DO pay.
The merger will be the reason for your higher prices, you just can't see the forest for the trees. | |
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| | | Yes, I remember that fiasco. I also remember many members here helped others trying to get that deal as best as possible.
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Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian. Robert Orben
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|  baineschile2600 ways to livePremium
join:2008-05-10
Sterling Heights, MI | I have a job, AND i want welfare/government assisted child supprt/food stamps too. | |
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| | pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | Re: All Part of the Plan said by baineschile:I have a job, AND i want welfare/government assisted child supprt/food stamps too.
Consider this point though.
Merging Comcast and NBC creates a vertically integrated company that can and does indeed have significant power and leverage over other content companies and other content distributors. This power can be abused and will ultimately hurt customers in the end.
$10 a month broadband for anyone who wanted it would have successfully mitigated that concern.
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"Net Neutrality" zealots - the people you can thank for your capped Internet service. | |
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| |  tobyTroy Mcclure
join:2001-11-13
Seattle, WA
 ·OlyPen, Inc.
·CenturyLink
| said by baineschile:I have a job, AND i want welfare/government assisted child supprt/food stamps too.
Have some children, a lot of them.
We reward irresponsible actions in this country. | |
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| | | Reviews:
 ·Verizon FiOS
| Re: All Part of the Plan said by toby:Have some children, a lot of them.
We reward irresponsible actions in this country.
yes we do - look at the banksters that ruined the economy. | |
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| | | | | Getting kids cheap broadband is like subsidizing libraries. I'm sure some people can go in and yell and act like idiots, but if kids want to learn and go on and do bigger things they have their chance. | |
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| | | I knew someone who got naked DSL for the $15 promo. Now it was never advertised so I told her about it. I got the info for it off here | |
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| |  japPremium
join:2003-08-10
038xx | Re: All Part of the Plan said by odreian615:I knew someone who got naked DSL for the $15 promo. VZ used a $15-for-life deal to inflate user counts in the run-up to Fairpoint purchase. AFAIK it wasn't advertised. Word of mouth works great here in our tight network of Yankee towns. Don't know if this is where your friend lives but many people around me signed on. | |
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| japPremium
join:2003-08-10
038xx | said by pnh102:Comcast should have been forced to provide this price point to all of its customers, regardless of income. I thought you were against government intervention of free markets.
Should have targeted the disabled & seniors below poverty line, and TANF recipients. Lunch program is too narrow. | |
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| | pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | Re: All Part of the Plan said by jap:I thought you were against government intervention of free markets. Vertically integrated companies with huge market shares are free market?
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"Net Neutrality" zealots - the people you can thank for your capped Internet service. | |
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| | | japPremium
join:2003-08-10
038xx | Re: All Part of the Plan said by pnh102:Vertically integrated companies with huge market shares are free market? Not in my book. And they get that way how? Not by coincidence, I hope. Lack of regulatory oversight, both industry specific and freewheeling expenditures to buy-off policy makers & campaigns. These are what enables monopolistic formation, in my humble opinion. | |
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newviewEx .. Ex .. ExactlyPremium
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD
kudos:1 | We saw this coming ...
You can pretty much count on anything Comcast agrees to as being more beneficial to them than to their subscribers or potential customers. | |
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u3912974
join:2007-07-31
San Francisco, CA | Comcast's $10 Broadband Hard to Qualify For They told me that I could get it before it came out. Then when the promotion came out they said that I had to have kids to get it. | |
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| | | Re: Comcast's $10 Broadband Hard to Qualify For Discrimination against childless people is apparently alive and well. | |
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| | ya We have had people on our biggest triple play packages asking about that 10 dollar internet. They have the means to pay for everything but don't want to. All these restrictions are not so great, but due to abuse we normally encounter probably prudent. | |
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| | | Re: ya said by trythisfirst :We have had people on our biggest triple play packages asking about that 10 dollar internet. Actually, they're more likely just sick to death of the ridiculous bait and switch deals (triple play is now costing me about $250/month...), or they _need_ the $10 deal because they're now poor after being milked dry by Comcast... Seriously, $250/month is $3000 per year. Are you friggin kidding me? | |
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| | Hey! ...PR costs a lot of money... unless, of course, you get the govt. and politicians to provide it for you. (And you really didn't need to be a "Comcast insider" to see this one. The only thing missing from all of their grand announcements around the country for "our wonderful new Essentials program" was the Comcast reps wearing "I'm with stupid." t-shirts.)
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"Sorry for not responding to your post, but either I haven't seen it yet, or what you said was so devoid of substance that I found it utterly uninteresting." | |
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| | Site response Jesus read the comments on that site. Americans have turned into a pack of rabid wolves. "More handouts"? As opposed to the selfless and independent bankers and hedge fund managers? | |
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| Romney2012Defeat Obama 2012-Chg we can believe inPremium
join:2002-03-03
USA
kudos:4 | Re: Site response said by sonicmerlin:Jesus read the comments on that site. Americans have turned into a pack of rabid wolves. "More handouts"? As opposed to the selfless and independent bankers and hedge fund managers?
What is the URL for the site and web pages with the comments you refer to?
Is this the link to the comments you refer to:
»www.philly.com/philly/business/1···61172558 | |
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| | | You are talking about apples and oranges. Regardless of what benefits those bankers might be getting, I still don't like the idea that certain people qualify for a good deal on Internet service that I can't get. | |
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| | | | Re: Site response said by john262:I still don't like the idea that certain people qualify for a good deal on Internet service that I can't get.
Do you know it is 1.5/384? That what you want? I sure don't. | |
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| | | Reviews:
·Frontier Communi..
 ·Wireless Beehive
| Re: Site response I know that's not blazing fast but not everyone needs more speed than that. A lot of causal users who only do light Net surfing and email checking would do just fine with that level of service and they should be able to get that deal if they want it. It's not fair that only certain people can get it. | |
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| | First hand knowledge "can't currently have any Comcast service including basic (common even in low-income homes), and can't have had any Comcast service in the last ninety days."
Not true. I know a case where a lady had CDV and digital cable with a STB and 2 DTA's. She's fully qualified for Comcast Internet Essentials, applied for and got it without jumping through any hoops at all.
I know because I gave her a Dell laptop and a Linksys router and got it all going for her with no need for a tech visit. Her seven year old daughter is now on equal footing with her more fortunate peers.
Anyone who sees an injustice in this is entitled to their opinion. | |
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See 7 replies to this post |
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 GbcueAlmost P.E.Premium
join:2001-09-30
Santa Rosa, CA
kudos:8 | Caps I bet they are low. | |
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| | | Re: Caps said by Gbcue:I bet they are low.
You'd lose that bet.
You want them to be low? You hope they're low? | |
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Reviews:
·Optimum Online
·Verizon FiOS
| slow to fix problems.. the consumer is now reaping the seeds sown in corrupt consolidation and mergers of the content industry with the telecom industry. wireless spectrum haves and have-nots.
all throughout AT&T and Comcast's footprint there should be a 3rd carrier to compete, but that hasn't really happened yet. | |
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| newviewEx .. Ex .. ExactlyPremium
join:2001-10-01
Parsonsburg, MD
kudos:1 Reviews:
·Vonage
·DIRECTV
| Re: slow to fix problems.. said by tmc8080:all throughout AT&T and Comcast's footprint there should be a 3rd carrier to compete, but that hasn't really happened yet.
... and it never will as long as local govn't Franchise Agreements are in effect. | |
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| | Reviews:
·Optimum Online
·Verizon FiOS
1 edit | Re: slow to fix problems.. said by newview:said by tmc8080:all throughout AT&T and Comcast's footprint there should be a 3rd carrier to compete, but that hasn't really happened yet.
... and it never will as long as local govn't Franchise Agreements are in effect. this will be a new steamroller (REFORM) for data services to extend the INTERNET sales to the wireless spectrum which has a mixed history of charging "TAXES and UNFEES" to wireless data. | |
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UnnDunnPremium
join:2005-12-21
Brooklyn, NY | Why don't Comcast offer this anyway? I'm not entirely sure why Comcast doesn't offer a program like this anyway, as a way to further compete with low-cost DSL or dial-up ISPs (yes, they still exist.) | |
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 IowaCowboyPremium
join:2010-10-16
Indian Orchard, MA
·Verizon Broadban..
·Comcast
·AT&T Wireless Br..
·Verizon Wireless..
| Trouble Calls
Drop line |
Servicing underground lines can get expensive and at $10 per month, they'll never recoup the costs of replacing an underground line. When mine was replaced, they cut corners and pulled it through the dirt to behind the duplex instead of pulling it through the conduit to the front of the house (which would have entailed going under a driveway and a walkway and there is a conduit that goes through a concrete porch). The way they did it makes it susceptible to damage from a lawn mower, weed eater, or other lawn tool.
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All of my CPE (including my EMTA) is customer owned. The only Comcast owned equipment in my house is the CableCards in the two TiVO boxes I own. | |
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rody_44Premium
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA
1 edit | FWIW Comcast was always upfront about what the qualifications would be. Its not like they added these stipulations later. I fail to see any issues when they were upfront from the word go what the stipulations would be. You all need to go back and read the original proposal. None of this is new and it was always about low income kids not low income people. All these terms were clearly spelled out from the beginning. | |
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 SnowymIRC unix.ro UnderNetPremium
join:2003-04-05
Kailua, HI
kudos:5
·RoadRunner Cable
·Clearwire Wireless
| The numbers "Update: Comcast sent us the following statement about the program, and while it notes that Comcast is eager to make improvements, it doesn't really address the plan's seemingly-intentional qualification hurdles:
We said we would offer Internet Essentials for at least three full academic years and then decide what to do going forward. During that time, if a family qualifies, then they can continue to keep the service as long as at least one child in the home receives a free lunch via the NSLP. So, theoretically, if you had an eight year old and a newborn baby and signed up this year (2011) and assuming the family remains eligible as that baby grows up and then graduates from high school, then the family could keep the service for the next 18 years (2029).
We have printed and mailed more than 11 million brochures, reached out to more than 4,000 school districts with more than 30,000 schools. We’ve hosted hundreds of digital literacy training programs with major non-profit partners all across the country. We’ve launched the service in 39 states plus D.C. and made announcements with state governors, congressional representatives, superintendents, principals, teachers and non-profit leaders – not to mention the joint announcement we made in D.C. with FCC Chairman Genachowski. We’ve run radio and print ads in community papers across the country. And we’ve done the vast majority of all that work since Labor Day. We know we have more work to do, but we’re really just getting started."
hmm, so how many applicant families have been rejected to date & how many have been accepted? | |
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k2nnj
join:2004-05-06
Caldwell, NJ | They can go to the library If low income people can't afford internet, they can go to a library. | |
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| | | said by k2nnj:If low income people can't afford internet, they can go to a library. Careful. Libraries are publicly funded. Wouldn't want your tax dollars to help someone, now would you? | |
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| | Comcast's $10 Broadband Speed of 1.5 Mbps means you may actually get 750 to 912 max. Hardly enough to load a news video let alone take full advantage of what the www has to offer. | |
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 Mac BridgerLate to the partyPremium
join:2001-01-11
West Newton, PA
·Cricket Broadband
·Comcast
| Seriously? How many of you that are complaining about welfare make $1 million a year or more? Did you realize that our middle class is the smallest it's ever been? Did you know that the US has the 3rd largest gap between median middle class and wealthy IN THE WORLD. That means that the wealth of the US is consolidating in a few people. You may be middle class now, but for how long? And you're complaining about people who work for minimum wage getting a slow speed cable service so their kids can have internet access for school work?
Do any of you whiners even have kids? My 9 year-old has internet assignments at least once a week for school. Many of her classmates don't even have computer access at home, because their parents can't afford it. People can't even afford to live and you're worried because someone may get the most basic of internet service for a "reduced" cost? Grow up.
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Fight Cancer! Join DSLR's Team Discovery | |
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| | | Re: Seriously? "... My 9 year-old has internet assignments at least once a week for school. Many of her classmates don't even have computer access at home, because their parents can't afford it...."
If a school is mandating a computer exclusive assignment, then that school should be prepared to broadcast sufficient wifi throughout the range of residency that such school serves. Or at the very least, a sufficiently equipped and supervised computer lab should be available from 7AM until 8PM for all students of that school. Additional commute expenses and dangers are eliminated if they are already on the campus before or after school
Such elementary school teacher that mandated an internet exclusive assignment, without making sure that the school's internet computers were adequate in quality and quantity to accomplish all required tasks, could render the school (and the teacher) defendants of discrimination & unfunded mandate lawsuits. Instead of paying off such large claims, or broadcasting high power wifi, the school may be able to obtain bulk rate service from a wireless carrier (eg clearwire) and provide a wireless router to each and every parent, and if necessary, used computers for those who don't have one. The bulk service speed could be capped at 125kbps, thus a reasonable expense (probably only $5.00 per month per router). After all, young kids don't need high bandwidth to accomplish regular school tasks. The kids could still watch occasional Youtube videos, if they allow the clip to buffer for a while.
To repeat, if internet is required to earn high grades, then it is the responsibility of the school to provide ALL necessary tools and materials for the child to accomplish the tasks mandated by the teachers. After all, the schools receive THOUSANDS of taxpayer dollars for each student, for roughly 180 days of classes. They should spend a few bucks of that money on providing necessary off campus services, instead of upgrading football fields.
Schools in which computer classes are optional (Middle & High School) would be exempt from providing wireless internet because the assignment is not from a mandated class. | |
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| | Mac BridgerLate to the partyPremium
join:2001-01-11
West Newton, PA Reviews:
·Cricket Broadband
·Comcast
| Re: Seriously? So businesses should not offer a discount for impoverished school children because the school should do it? So my annual 20% property taxes should go up to the point where my family is homeless? My property taxes are already greater than my mortgage, and trust me, they're not spending money on Football fields.
Did you even consider the cost of deploying your plan in a rural school district? How much would it cost to deploy WIFI/CABLE/FIBER where it doesn't exist? Broadband, despite progress in penetration over the last few years, is still not universally available. A school is not in the BUSINESS of providing internet.
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Fight Cancer! Join DSLR's Team Discovery | |
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| | omgroflmao all these comments about cheap internet being a form of welfare are hysterical.
FYI, Verizon already offers 1mbit service to anyone with a phone line for 14.99/month.
Enjoy your overpriced POS internet, Comcast lovers. | |
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| rody_44Premium
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA | Re: omgroflmao loL Now thats bullshit in premium. Verizon does not offer anyone with a phone line internet. Verizon doesnt even have internet available to everyone let alone internet for 14,99 a month. | |
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| | Why is everyone so surprised? Comcrap found a way to get what they wanted and screw the public at the same time. The FCC bent over and kissed Comcrap's ass in the process. It is business as usual in Washington. I am surprised that anyone thought that Comcrap or the FCC would actually keep their word. | |
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to say Comcast does not care about communities or these programs are not a step in the right direction, I think it's FANTASTIC 
. What I have trouble with is, as many have pointed out, is how effective these programs really are. And the BS Political spin by the lobby groups that the Telecom/cable industry hires.