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DOCSIS 3.0 Can Be Funded By 'Couch Change'
Suggests Comcast exec, who brushes off FiOS...
Yesterday Comcast tested 150Mbps DOCSIS 3.0 hardware at the NTCA Cable Show, grabbing massive press attention. Today Comcast's Steve Craddock brushed off FiOS competition by noting Comcast's upgrade path will be significantly cheaper. "Cable can go deploy DOCSIS 3.0 for a couple billion dollars -- It’s the kind of money we can find in the sofa cushions," he quipped, noting FiOS would cost tens of billions just to hit 14% of the country. "FiOS is something my grandson needs to worry about, not me," he says -- yet the company is going to focus these upgrades on areas with FiOS competition first. There's been little talk from the other major cable providers on their own DOCSIS upgrade plans at the NCTA show in Vegas this week, but Comcast has certainly been chatty.
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burgermeister
All Computers Are Junk
join:2000-10-23
Utica, MI

burgermeister

Member

Too late...

I just used a all my couch change for gas.
primeangel
join:2001-01-03
Baltimore, OH

primeangel

Member

Re: Too late...

you can afford gas?

burgermeister
All Computers Are Junk
join:2000-10-23
Utica, MI

1 recommendation

burgermeister

Member

Re: Too late...

Not anymore, the couch is empty.

Guess I'll have to invite some 'guests' over and hope they make a cash deposit into the couch when they sit down.

Subaru
1-3-2-4
Premium Member
join:2001-05-31
Greenwich, CT

Subaru

Premium Member

Re: Too late...

LOL

I better get pockets with zippers!

ctceo
Premium Member
join:2001-04-26
South Bend, IN

ctceo to burgermeister

Premium Member

to burgermeister
Remember that commercial where the people invited their Elderly neighbors over for drinks, and made sure they shook them roughly on the couch to pay for their insurance or mortgage or something, and then asked them to leave so they could get all the money that fell out of their pockets?

I can't remember the company, though if I could, I'd post a YouTube link.

draven

join:2002-02-20
my bunker

draven to burgermeister

to burgermeister
said by burgermeister:

I just used a all my couch change for gas.
I hear that.

So, if cable can deploy all of this for couch change, why is Comcast still more expensive - and lesser quality - than the FIOS I just traded them in for?

LeftOfSanity
People Suck.
join:2005-11-06
Dover, DE

LeftOfSanity

Member

Re: Too late...

Business 101.

Sell your product for as much as you can as long as you can.

Can you say if you were the head of a billion dollar company you would say.."You know, we should drop our prices."

I know alot of people on here bitch about pricing, but how can you honestly say you would do it different? His job is to make the company money. They are a 'for-profit' company.

Don't get me wrong, I hate the price of just about everything.

draven

join:2002-02-20
my bunker

draven

Re: Too late...

Hey, I was happy to pay the pricing for 2 years in my new place.

But they aren't hitting the limits of DOCSIS 2.0 right now. Yet they aren't competitive with FIOS, and Brian Roberts was yakking about upping speeds to threshold levels years ago with the flip of a switch.

You can talk the talk all you want, but you need to walk the walk one of these times.
caco
Premium Member
join:2005-03-10
Whittier, AK

caco

Premium Member

Re: Too late...

said by draven:

Hey, I was happy to pay the pricing for 2 years in my new place.

But they aren't hitting the limits of DOCSIS 2.0 right now. Yet they aren't competitive with FIOS, and Brian Roberts was yakking about upping speeds to threshold levels years ago with the flip of a switch.

You can talk the talk all you want, but you need to walk the walk one of these times.
If people are willing to pay more for less whose fault is that?

Uncle Paul
join:2003-02-04
USA

Uncle Paul

Member

Re: Too late...

said by caco:

If people are willing to pay more for less whose fault is that?
For some of us it's pay more for less because your other alternative is Sat or wait with 'giddy anticipation' for that 'gem' U-Verse.

Ebolla
join:2005-09-28
Dracut, MA

Ebolla

Member

couch change?

wish i had a couple billion in my couch..

en102
Canadian, eh?
join:2001-01-26
Valencia, CA

en102

Member

Re: couch change?

That must be the CEO's couch... as Comcast keeps raising rates by the amount that I can find in my couch.

DaveDude
No Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey

DaveDude

Member

Re: couch change?

Yup he means by a MINOR price increase, which is probably 3-10 dollars. But thats how the cablecookie crumbles
Ammler
Premium Member
join:2005-04-19
Pittsburgh, PA

Ammler

Premium Member

*Yawn*

Just like FIOS, I will believe it when I see it. Until then it is nothing else but pillow talk to me.

Toadman
Hypnotoad
join:2001-11-28
Mystery

Toadman

Member

Re: *Yawn*

said by Ammler:

Just like FIOS, I will believe it when I see it. Until then it is nothing else but pillow talk to me.
Agree 100%. The most I can get out of my Docsys 2 modem is 7mbps, a far cry from the 15mbps advertised from the standard. I don't see any reason for a cable company to roll out the new standard when they are complacent on the current system.

" I can't drive 55 because it will only go to 38. Comic book guy".
majortom1029
join:2006-10-19
Medford, NY

majortom1029

Member

Re: *Yawn*

actually the docvsis 2 standard goes up to about 41 down and 30 up. docsis 1.1 is 40 down and 10 up. Cablevision is the only cable provider that is using docsis 2 in the us that I know of.

Philmatic
Premium Member
join:2000-07-15
Oxnard, CA

Philmatic

Premium Member

Re: *Yawn*

said by majortom1029:

Cablevision is the only cable provider that is using docsis 2 in the us that I know of.
That might be true on a nationwide level, but I can guarantee that TWC (Previously Adelphia) is running 100% DOCSIS 2.0 from the Headend to my Modem here in the Antelope Valley.
supertbone
join:2002-04-04
Pleasant Grove, UT

supertbone

Member

Re: *Yawn*

I was going to say the samething! It is a brand new HSI system.

jester121
Premium Member
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL

1 recommendation

jester121 to Ammler

Premium Member

to Ammler
Technically, it's cushion talk, since we're discussing sofas.

N3OGH
Yo Soy Col. "Bat" Guano
Premium Member
join:2003-11-11
Philly burbs

N3OGH

Premium Member

Re: *Yawn*

Naa, I say more pillow talk.

If we're talking gas for any reason, we're all " biting the pillow" a little harder as we "take it"...
Ammler
Premium Member
join:2005-04-19
Pittsburgh, PA

Ammler to jester121

Premium Member

to jester121
Speaking of discussions....Where does this company (Comcast) come up with these ridiculous sayings. I mean first their Net service is like a "BMW", now we are funding the upgrade project with "couch change".

Hey, I just realized something. Why would anyone want to upgrade their "BMW" with "couch change", should they be using "gold bullion" instead?

kalphearion
In nomine Patri
Premium Member
join:2003-11-08
Broomfield, CO

kalphearion

Premium Member

uh huh

Lets see what happens in 2008. Mr. Craddock might just end up choking on his own words, which would do us as consumers a favor.

jgkolt
Premium Member
join:2004-02-21
Avon, OH

jgkolt

Premium Member

docis 2

I have gotton 12 down from my modem

Roundboy
Premium Member
join:2000-10-04
Drexel Hill, PA

Roundboy

Premium Member

soo... no price hike next year?

Since its peanuts to add 3.0 ?

Promise?

Or should you start working on the excuse now ?

Ebolla
join:2005-09-28
Dracut, MA

Ebolla

Member

Re: soo... no price hike next year?

internet price hasnt changed in 4+ years so I would guess it wont again next year.
Zoder
join:2002-04-16
Miami, FL

Zoder

Member

How much did Comcast pay?

Anyone know how much they paid to upgrade their plant in the late 90s to support digital cable and HSI?

MysticGogeta
The Robot Devil
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Katy, TX

MysticGogeta

Premium Member

Re: How much did Comcast pay?

Alot of their areas did the fiber-coax hybrid system I can take a random shot I heard awhile ago it was around 48 billion and they've been riding that system since with only minor upgrades. Thats why they are able to do things like this the fiber is down they just need to set up the new equipment.

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

cdru

MVM

Re: How much did Comcast pay?

But hybrid only goes so far. Upgrade after upgrade, eventually they will be forced to push the fiber farther and farther into the neighborhoods to get enough bandwidth to the customer. Comcast is just spreading the cost of installation across decades while Verizon is choosing to do it all at once.

MysticGogeta
The Robot Devil
Premium Member
join:2005-03-14
Katy, TX

MysticGogeta

Premium Member

Re: How much did Comcast pay?

True but its a smart plan because they can slowly improve it while makeing a incrediable profit.

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

cdru

MVM

Re: How much did Comcast pay?

said by MysticGogeta:

True but its a smart plan because they can slowly improve it while makeing a incrediable profit.
But is it more profit in the long term? Say Verizon's upgrade costs $100m. If Comcast has to pay on average $40m for each round of upgrades and it takes 3 upgrades to get to an equivalent capable system, is the extra $20m worth it? Obviously my numbers are made up, but I would think that the incremental steps overall would cost more once everything is said and done then one big step.

What also has to be weighted is can the company even afford one giant step instead of smaller steps (and in the case of Comcast I believe they could) as well as can they afford the risks.

Verizon by doing one big step with jumping to FiOS has a state of the art system that is more or less ready for the next couple of decades. Most cable companies infrastructure is only 1/2 ready with the really expensive part to upgrade being the part that is left undone. Both are functionally about the same right now, but I think even with Docsis 3.0 it's still a band-aid on an older technology.
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

give 38mbits first..

How about nodesplitting until customers can get the full 38megabit caps their modems provide without customer upgrades?
Then we'll see what FIOS has instore for that response.. it's doubtful that FIOS or any flavor of AT&T adsl will want to give 50mbit service for less than their $90 pricetag anytime soon.

Maybe then Verizon and AT&T will get off their ass and spend some cash getting their lines deployed.

••••

Radio Active
My pappy's a pistol
Premium Member
join:2003-01-31
Fullerton, CA

Radio Active

Premium Member

I wish

I had a couch like that...

nilnet
join:2000-09-13
Bradenton, FL

nilnet

Member

150Mbps DOCSIS 3.0

How does Cable think they can get everybody on a ring to get that speed. They're dreaming. They're putting 50 pounds of crap into a 1 pound bag.

•••••
sameshtdd
join:2006-01-04
Teaneck, NJ

sameshtdd

Member

All this Bandwidth...

But nowhere to use it...I have 20/5 FIOS and I'm suprised if I can go anywhere that comes close to maxing out my connection. Streaming video?? What website streams video at 5,10, or even 15Mbps??

Last mile speeds are important, but when my connection is as fast/faster than some companies internet connections...there's a problem...and me buying 50/5 isn't going to solve it.
br0adbanddoc
join:2001-12-31
Wilkes Barre, PA

br0adbanddoc

Member

Re: All this Bandwidth...

said by sameshtdd:

But nowhere to use it...I have 20/5 FIOS and I'm suprised if I can go anywhere that comes close to maxing out my connection. Streaming video?? What website streams video at 5,10, or even 15Mbps??

Last mile speeds are important, but when my connection is as fast/faster than some companies internet connections...there's a problem...and me buying 50/5 isn't going to solve it.
Agreed, this is all about marketing and who can swing the biggest "stick".
grandpinaple8
join:2006-01-03
New York, NY

grandpinaple8

Member

Sounds like

He took my couch. I want it back.
Gravy_Dave
join:2006-02-21
Sacramento, CA

Gravy_Dave

Member

Re: Sounds like

You guys are lucky, all I find in my couch is old popcorn!!

Radio Active
My pappy's a pistol
Premium Member
join:2003-01-31
Fullerton, CA

Radio Active

Premium Member

Re: Sounds like

said by Gravy_Dave:

You guys are lucky, all I find in my couch is old popcorn!!

You must have kids who like popcorn as much as do mine. My dogs can't dig in, but they keep the floor pretty clean. Like a dog said(I can't remember which), "Any food that falls on on floor is legally MINE!!!" I feed my dogs pretty good.

I like having dogs and kids. It saves on having to clean up the floor and saves on pet food. My dogs' vet disagrees. So does my kids' pediatrician. I might have to change my attitude a bit.

I find stuff in the cushions that fell out of my pocket all the time... It's my "go-to" when I have lost something from my pocket. Cell phone, blue tooth earpiece, tac-torch, pocket-knife, pocket tool, etc... Maybe I'm spending a bit too much time on the couch. I'd better fix that...

NormanS
I gave her time to steal my mind away
MVM
join:2001-02-14
San Jose, CA

NormanS

MVM

Where's the beef?

Unless Brian Roberts intends to offer 150Mb/s/25Mb/s service for $9.95 per month, his claim that DOCSIS 3.0 can be funded by 'Couch Change' is pie-in-the-sky rhetoric.

jarablue
Always be true to yourself
join:2001-06-11
Worcester, MA

jarablue

Member

Where is Charter in all of this?

Oh I know...they are busy advertising 3meg internet here in my town of Worcester. LOL I had 3 meg cable internet back in 99 in South Carolina of all places. I wonder if they know they are in 2007?
Hanko
join:2001-12-28
Eatonville, WA

Hanko

Member

Re: Where is Charter in all of this?

Until they can even get cable to me I'll consider all of their comments on how well they will service their customers to be BLIVETS.

Blivet = 10 pounds of fertilizer in a 5 pound sack

JE
JE 's BACK BABY
Premium Member
join:2000-12-15
Charlotte, NC

1 edit

1 recommendation

JE

Premium Member

Oh Please!

I am sick and tired of hearing people complain about prices! This is too much, Verizon gives it to me for less! The go to Verizon then! The problem with this Country is, people just like to hear themselves talk! No one is real about DOING THEY SAY
If people were really serious, then when they call in stating they want to cancel service, then it would be done right there on the spot!
If you want a cheaper rate then why don't you just flat out ask for it. Stop beating around the bush!
Cable companies and other big giants have certain pricing schemes for people who call in to cancel, called Saves or whatever they may call them. Call and ask for them!
And don't call through CS, idiots, call the cancellation department and moan to them about going elsewhere.
You see, if you know where u r going, you will never have a problem finding your way back!

Radio Active
My pappy's a pistol
Premium Member
join:2003-01-31
Fullerton, CA

Radio Active

Premium Member

Re: Oh Please!

said by JE:

I am sick and tired of hearing people complain about prices! This is too much, Verizon gives it to me for less! The go to Verizon then! The problem with this Country is, people just like to hear themselves talk! No one is real about DOING THEY SAY
If people were really serious, then when they call in stating they want to cancel service, then it would be done right there on the spot!
If you want a cheaper rate then why don't you just flat out ask for it. Stop beating around the bush!
Cable companies and other big giants have certain pricing schemes for people who call in to cancel, called Saves or whatever they may call them. Call and ask for them!
And don't call through CS, idiots, call the cancellation department and moan to them about going elsewhere.
You see, if you know where u r going, you will never have a problem finding your way back!
Good point, JE...

Verizon 3M/768K suits me just fine for my needs/cost. Less $ here than my old place. Nice and snappy...

No fios available here yet, and not planning on getting it...

My take: no matter what the ISP's D/U is, latency is a major factor.
Price/cost won't repair it. Until there is a MAJOR standards/paradigm shift of the internet as we know it, all the best ISPs cannot assemble Humpty Dumpty.

My $.02...

Cheers.