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New Broadband Data Shows U.S. To Be Thoroughly Mediocre
Most subscribers, fifteenth in overal penetration, 22nd in price

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has once again released their broadband statistics for OECD member countries. The OECD's broadband portal offers statistics that are current up to December 2007 -- the latest data showing we're tops in total broadband subscribers (69.9 million), but still fifteenth in penetration per 100 inhabitants (23%) and 22nd in average monthly subscription price.

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The latest data shows that the U.S.'s broadband penetration rate (subscriptions per 100 inhabitants) now sits at 23%, up from 5.49% back in 2002. While 23% is higher than the OECD average (20%), it still places the U.S. in fifteenth place overall, behind countries such as Canada (27%), Finland (31%) and Denmark (35%).

Broadband prices are another area where the United States lags its OECD counterparts, the U.S. coming in at 11th in terms of cost per MB, and 22nd in monthly subscription price. As of October 2007, the average price of a broadband connection in the U.S. was $53.06. Even when getting a helping hand from discount $15-$20 DSL tiers, that's higher than Mexico ($49.81) and South Korea ($37.81) but certainly lower than Norway ($88.07) or Iceland ($97.30). The average price per MB in the U.S. was $12.60 (it's $3.70/Mbps in France, but $97.43/Mbps in Turkey).

Looking at fiber deployment specifically, the OECD's data shows that only 3% of all broadband connections in the United States are fiber. That's not particularly surprising when you consider Verizon's the only major ISP taking FTTH deployment seriously. That 3% fiber rate is vastly better than Canada's 0%, but doesn't come close to the 34% and 40% rates in Japan and South Korea, respectively, where dense urban fiber deployment helps greatly.

Governments should discourage harmful business conduct and practices such as misleading advertising and unjustifiably long consumer lock-in periods.
-OECD Analysis
The gist? We're average. Which is surprisingly good, considering our government's broadband policy consists of letting ISP lobbyists write telecom laws, and then ignoring any and all negative consequences by issuing fluff reports.

The OECD has been studying trends (pdf) far more closely, and offers a number of suggestions to countries looking to improve their overall broadband fortunes. Most involve the government being more than just a puppet of the entrenched monopoly/duopoly:

quote:
•Governments need to promote competition and give consumers more choices. They should encourage new networks, particularly upgrades to fibre-optic lines.

•Governments providing money to fund broadband rollouts should avoid creating new monopolies. Any new infrastructure built using government funds should be open access – meaning that access to that network is provided on non-discriminatory terms to other market participants.

•Governments should discourage harmful business conduct and practices such as misleading advertising and unjustifiably long consumer lock-in periods.

•OECD firms and governments need to do more to realize the full potential of broadband and move beyond pilot projects for pressing social issues in areas such as health, transport and the environment.

•Governments need to actively monitor and quantify their own progress with their broadband plans and adjust policies and attention accordingly.

Of course actually having a broadband policy is a good start. Here in the States, we still haven't even bothered to actually map broadband penetration. Heavy lobbying by incumbent carriers has resulted in an uncompetitive, overpriced duopoly system, yet we're still in the middle of the statistical pack. Imagine what the United States could accomplish with a government that worked for everyone, instead of just AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.
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jchambers28
Premium Member
join:2007-05-12
Peculiar, MO

1 edit

jchambers28

Premium Member

us isp's

us ISP's are cheap when it comes to deploying an all fiber network for internet acses
EPS4
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA

EPS4

Member

Re: us isp's

Well, note that in many other countries, DSL was the primary internet connection mechanism. Cable networks aren't as common outside the US to begin with, and the US is separate by the fact that cable networks are the largest means of broadband access, not DSL lines.

Cable networks are far better at offering higher speeds to customers than DSL lines, though the reliability and long-term viability of those high speeds is another issue. However, it can't be denied that HFC networks can offer high speeds. This means that buildouts of high-speed fiber networks are not seen as necessary- cablecos won't do it because they already have fiber-coax networks that are fine for what they're doing, and telcos (until recently with VZ) wouldn't have as much demand for their products.

Smith6612
MVM
join:2008-02-01
North Tonawanda, NY

Smith6612 to jchambers28

MVM

to jchambers28
I agree. At least Verizon is taking the right step to at least try to get Fiber to most of their service areas. And as always, Japan is on the top of the list. What a suprise...

ztmike
Mark for moderation
Premium Member
join:2001-08-02
La Porte, IN

ztmike

Premium Member

Bingo.

"Of course actually having a broadband policy is a good start."

/End thread

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

1 edit

Dogfather

Premium Member

Re: Bingo.

Yeah, because we know how efficient and successful government programs are.
satellite68
join:2007-04-11
Louisville, KY

satellite68

Member

Re: Bingo.

said by Dogfather:

Yeah, because we know how efficient and successful government programs are.
Ironic statement, considering your avatar.

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

1 recommendation

Dogfather

Premium Member

Re: Bingo.

A fat lazy government worker serving only to Provoke and Annoy? More iconic of government, not ironic.

kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL

kapil

Member

Re: Bingo.

said by Dogfather:

A fat lazy government worker serving only to Provoke and Annoy? More iconic of government, not ironic.
I'd be inclined to say that the proverbial lazy government worker is more a cross section and symbol of American society at large, which has become too fat and lazy for its own good rather than, oh you know, being iconic of Government.

It's high time we heed the wake-up call and finally address big national problems we've been sweeping under the rugs and blaming on darkies and immigrants for entirely too long.

scrummie02
Bentley
Premium Member
join:2004-04-16
Arlington, VA

scrummie02

Premium Member

Re: Bingo.

And this helps broadband penetration how?

I agree with your statement, but that's for another forum

Matt3
All noise, no signal.
Premium Member
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC

Matt3 to Dogfather

Premium Member

to Dogfather
said by Dogfather:

Yeah, because we know how efficient and successful government programs are.
Like the interstate highway system? Or the national power grid? I'd even go so far as to say the POTS system since the government stepped in a regulated the level of service.
EPS4
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA

EPS4

Member

Re: Bingo.

Ah, yes, the interstate highway system- how's about that Big Dig (Interstate 93 through downtown Boston)? And that maintainance is going so well...

And the power grid, where one failure in northern New York can mean failure in the entire Northeast- a sparkling success there.

kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL

1 recommendation

kapil

Member

Re: Bingo.

said by EPS4:

Ah, yes, the interstate highway system- how's about that Big Dig (Interstate 93 through downtown Boston)? And that maintainance is going so well...

And the power grid, where one failure in northern New York can mean failure in the entire Northeast- a sparkling success there.
All of that because "small government" morons for the last 30 years haven't invested in infrastructure.

Foresight and good governance got us started, just like the founding fathers gave us the constitution as a framework for a democracy....it's our job to continue on that path.

So build a national highway system...and 50 years later when it needs maintenance and replacement, deny the funding and point to it as an example of how bad government programs are? I've never understood how the "no taxes" crowd sells that as a logical argument to anyone with post-secondary education.

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

1 recommendation

Dogfather

Premium Member

Re: Bingo.

They aren't denied funding for roads. Taxpayers are paying billions and billions in road taxes, fees and excise taxes. But the same corrupt gov't raids those funds to pad their other failed programs.

And damn straight now more taxes, not until they show some responsibility with the hundreds of billions they already get. They don't have a revenue problem, they have a spending problem. Don't come crying about revenue when they give hundreds of billions to supercorps like ADM for crops that are already reaping them record profits or for tax breaks for oil companies also reaping record profits or for school systems where less than .50 of every dollar actually makes it to a classroom.

kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL

kapil

Member

Re: Bingo.

There is no "they". It's US! It's our country and our government. When we decide it's time to stop being lazy and participate in government is when this will all turn around.

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

4 edits

1 recommendation

Dogfather

Premium Member

Re: Bingo.

Not my government. It's Exxon's gov't. It's Mexico and China's gov't and anyone else Washington wants to sell us out to. It's gov't by the dollar and for the dollar.

And with both Obama and McCain being free-traders and pro-amnesty nothing is going to change for the American worker except fewer good jobs, worsening schools and higher taxes.

kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL

1 recommendation

kapil

Member

Re: Bingo.

said by Dogfather:

Not my government. It's Exxon's gov't. It's gov't by the dollar and for the dollar.
Not everything is someone else's fault. Grow up and take responsibility. It's precisely this I-didn't-do-it attitude that has allowed these incompetent dimwits to become in charge and sell your country off in pieces to Exxon and Halliburton.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: Bingo.

said by kapil:
said by Dogfather:

Not my government. It's Exxon's gov't. It's gov't by the dollar and for the dollar.
Not everything is someone else's fault. Grow up and take responsibility. It's precisely this I-didn't-do-it attitude that has allowed these incompetent dimwits to become in charge and sell your country off in pieces to Exxon and Halliburton.
And it isn't YOUR country too? So what is YOUR country?

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium Member
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102

Premium Member

Re: Bingo.

said by FFH5:

And it isn't YOUR country too? So what is YOUR country?
Relax TK... inevitably there may come a time when the above poster is proud of his country for the very first time.

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

1 recommendation

Dogfather to kapil

Premium Member

to kapil
Short of armed revolution, there is NOTHING to be done.

Whether it's Democrats or Republicans, both are equally corrupt and inept.

kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL

kapil

Member

Re: Bingo.

said by Dogfather:

Short of armed revolution, there is NOTHING to be done.

Whether it's Democrats or Republicans, both are equally corrupt and inept.
Yeah. Everyone is out to get you...each man for himself. Get the guns!

Maybe you shouldn't vote after all.

Yes, things are pretty bad. But things were once very good. We can make them that way again...we just have to stop being selfish and work for the common good and for the good of the country. No armed revolution required...this isn't the 1800's.

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

4 edits

1 recommendation

Dogfather

Premium Member

Re: Bingo.

It's not paranoia when it is true.

The gov't, at least here in California is absolutely gunning for the taxpayers. They're looking to raid even more highway funds, raise sales taxes to 9.25% (in LA county) and borrow from future lottery revenues. This despite already being one of the highest taxed states in the nation and 47th for business climate.

But with Obama, the rest of the nation will get a taste of Sacramento style gov't.

Things were good during the 90's when Congress controlled spending. But Republicans have become spend happy whores and the Democratic Congress has turned out to be no better.

Things can be good again, all we have to do is stop being selfish expecting other people and the gov't to pay our way.

kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL

kapil

Member

Re: Bingo.

30 years of withholding funding for programs and priorities that desperately need it. It's only going to get worse. Either we fix the bridges now, or we build brand new ones when they collapse, while also setting legal claims from those who get hurt. Not to mention, look like fools in front of the entire world.

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

jester121

Premium Member

Re: Bingo.

Withholding spending? Other than Clinton's cuts to the military, what government program has been cut in the last 20 years? I see a ridiculous rate of growth of government, more waste, and more doing the same thing while expecting different results.
PDXPLT
join:2003-12-04
Banks, OR

PDXPLT to Dogfather

Member

to Dogfather
Yea, I'm sure you're really hurtin' and living an awful life in Laguna Hills

California must be providing conditions for you to suceed, if you can afford to live in a place like that.

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

4 edits

Dogfather

Premium Member

Re: Bingo.

"California" isn't providing anything. I have what I have because I earned it in spite of, not because of, Sacramento.

If California were providing the conditions, everyone would be living in Nellie Gail.

disconnected
@snet.net

disconnected to Dogfather

Anon

to Dogfather
said by Dogfather:

Short of armed revolution, there is NOTHING to be done.

Whether it's Democrats or Republicans, both are equally corrupt and inept.
Totally agree. The above could have been my words. Too bad we're in such a small minority.. The rest believe the fairytales that the Disney news networks provide (which the BBC regards as "Entertainment news").

Real fact is, we're on the cusp of a major catastrophe. The banks were forced to lend money to those ineligable for such loans, the results of which is now coming to public view, the dollar is defrauded by the Fed, international markts are considering reducing the US's AAA credit rating to sub-prime, which means we may stop being the center of the world market, and also means import prices go up, while jobs leave the country.

The prison industry is the real winner here, because the government will impose more Draconian laws after the election and crime will soar as people start to go hungry. Oil is reported to be headed toward $200bbl in 2009, and there is no relief in site. We are headed to MAJOR economic crisis, the likes of which have not been seen for 50 years.

Tax & steal and tax some more seems to be the name of the game in the US.
EPS4
join:2008-02-13
Hingham, MA

EPS4 to kapil

Member

to kapil
The Big Dig (or to use its legal name, Central Artery/Tunnel) is hardly an example of government projects not getting enough funds... $15 billion not enough for you?

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

DaveDude to kapil

Member

to kapil
said by kapil:
said by EPS4:

Ah, yes, the interstate highway system- how's about that Big Dig (Interstate 93 through downtown Boston)? And that maintainance is going so well...

And the power grid, where one failure in northern New York can mean failure in the entire Northeast- a sparkling success there.

All of that because "small government" morons for the last 30 years haven't invested in infrastructure.

I've never understood how the "no taxes" crowd sells that as a logical argument to anyone with post-secondary education.
What does the size of the government have to with maintance. There aren't even related. Plus most of the grid is private, purposefully so it will be invested in.

the "no taxes" crowd understands that the more the government gets the less it spends on the people. See SS, and medicare, 2 great examples of why the government should keep it hands out things. If you like taxes ,Sweden pays about 60% of there income to the government, i am sure its paradise.

kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL

1 edit

kapil

Member

Re: Bingo.

said by DaveDude:

See SS, and medicare, 2 great examples of why the government should keep it hands out things.
Actually, those are two of the better managed and efficient government programs with much less waste than would be expected of any program that size.

The problem with both programs is that, again, the "no taxes" idiots have refused to fund the progams at levels need to sustain them and keep them viable for future generations.

All while the 30 years of conservative government has raided the trust fund to make up for its inept policies and revenue shortfall.

Can we say burning the candle at both ends? You take the money that's already there and refuse to fund it as needed...and then point at it as an example of bad governance.

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

Dogfather

Premium Member

Re: Bingo.

The no-taxes idiots have funded the gov't to RECORD revenues.

The raise-taxes idiots just waste it faster than it comes in.

kapil
The Kapil
join:2000-04-26
Chicago, IL

kapil

Member

Re: Bingo.

said by Dogfather:

The no-taxes idiots have funded the gov't to RECORD revenues.

The raise-taxes idiots just waste it faster than it comes in.
That's actually not true. From record surplus to record deficit and debt....on whose watch?

••••••••

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

1 edit

DaveDude to kapil

Member

to kapil
said by kapil:
said by DaveDude:

See SS, and medicare, 2 great examples of why the government should keep it hands out things.
Actually, those are two of the better managed and efficient government programs with much less waste than would be expected of any program that size.

The problem with both programs is that, again, the "no taxes" idiots have refused to fund the progams at levels need to sustain them and keep them viable for future generations.

All while the 30 years of conservative government has raided the trust fund to make up for its inept policies and revenue shortfall.

Can we say burning the candle at both ends? You take the money that's already there and refuse to fund it as needed...and then point at it as an example of bad governance. Do us all a favor...don't reproduce.
No... the government borrowed money from SS, and use it elsewhere, hence the "lock box". So the current Gen X, Y will be funding the largest amount of retired people ever. So the government never SAVED those funds, and used them for something else. Did you noticed what happened since Congress is now Liberal ruled, Gas prices rose, and house fallout. All because of liberal policy. Where the 30 yrs of conservative leadership is coming from i dont know. I guess there has never been a liberal in government.

••••••••••••••••••••••••

Dogfather
Premium Member
join:2007-12-26
Laguna Hills, CA

4 edits

1 recommendation

Dogfather to Matt3

Premium Member

to Matt3
said by Matt3:

said by Dogfather:

Yeah, because we know how efficient and successful government programs are.
Like the interstate highway system? Or the national power grid? I'd even go so far as to say the POTS system since the government stepped in a regulated the level of service.
Yeah, the Federal highways are ashambles and clogged shut with traffic despite taxpayers paying COUNTLESS billions in road taxes and fees that just end up being stolen for bullcrap welfare programs. The power grids? At least out here they were originally built by the power companies and are now managed by CalISO and other gov't mandated ISOs that give us our wonderful rolling blackouts. POTS? Paid for by the telcos and is overpriced thanks in no small part to the wonderful taxes and fees subs are forced to pay on it.

••••

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

en102 to Dogfather

Member

to Dogfather
Especially here in So-Cal.
This state is highly taxed, and the money ends up going nowhere.

RARPSL
join:1999-12-08
Suffern, NY

RARPSL to ztmike

Member

to ztmike
said by ztmike:

"Of course actually having a broadband policy is a good start."
We do. It is to not bother to look at actual broadband penetration, count the ability of one person in a ZIPCODE as having access to Broadband as meaning that EVERYONE in that ZIPCODE has access, and to define Broadband as 200Kbs (ie: Anything faster than DSL).

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium Member
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD

pnh102 to ztmike

Premium Member

to ztmike
said by ztmike:

"Of course actually having a broadband policy is a good start."

/End thread
I was gonna post my usual "Cue the 'USA Sucks' Rants" posting but this was posted while I was in a meeting.
caco
Premium Member
join:2005-03-10
Whittier, AK

caco to ztmike

Premium Member

to ztmike
This thread took a huge wrong turn somewhere.

LukasEU
@shawcable.net

LukasEU

Anon

Czech/Slovak error?

Although it's nice to find Czech and Slovak republics in the list I think there must have been an error made somewhere in the survey because there's NO WAY Slovakia has 17% fiber penetration (and if they do then I feel sorry for them for how FEW Internet connections they have per 1,000 people).

I have my doubts also about those 3% for the Czech republic. There are only a few very small local independant telcos doing FTTH.

FFH5
Premium Member
join:2002-03-03
Tavistock NJ

4 edits

1 recommendation

FFH5

Premium Member

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants a misleading metric

The latest data shows that the U.S.'s broadband penetration rate (subscriptions per 100 inhabitants) now sits at 23%. While 23% is higher than the OECD average (20%), it still places the U.S. in fifteenth place overall, behind countries such as Canada (27%), Finland (31%) and Denmark (35%).
Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants is affected by the average household size. That is, 1 subscription supports more people per subscription in the US than it does in Canada and Finland where the household size is smaller. So that number is skewed in favor of countries with smaller household sizes.

The OECD says there are 69,859,707 broadband subscribers in the US with a population of approx 300,000,000 in Dec 2007. And that is 23%. But what they don't say is how many people have broadband AVAILABLE to them in the home, because one subscription supports multiple residents. Therefore the US may actually have more broadband USERS per 100 inhabitants than some of the countries ahead of the US on the list.

EDIT: P.S.> The OECD defines penetration numbers as actual broadband lines and not people. »www.oecd.org/document/54 ··· ,00.html
1. Penetration (actual lines)
Average household size in US is 2.6/household which means there are 181,635,238 broadband users per 300,000,000 population in the US or 60.5%.

Average household size in Canada is 2.5 »www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst ··· l53a.htm

Average household size in Finland is 2.1 which means there are 3,395,700 broadband users per 5,286,000 population in Denmark or 64.2%. »www.britannica.com/eb/qu ··· -Finland

Average household size in Denmark is 2.2 which means there are 4,194,425 broadband users per 5,454,000 population in Denmark or 76.9%. »www.britannica.com/eb/qu ··· -Denmark

If anyone wants to do the whole list, be my guest, but the point I made is that the metric they used wasn't the best and is misleading to what % of the country's population receives broadband. The metric OECD used makes it look like Denmark is 52% better than the US in broadband penetration, but the metric I used shows Denmark is only 27% better. And the US is almost even with Finland.

•••••••••••••

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium Member
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
Netgear WNDR3700v2
Zoom 5341J

KrK

Premium Member

True Words

"Heavy lobbying by incumbent carriers has resulted in an uncompetitive, overpriced duopoly system, yet we're still in the middle of the statistical pack. Imagine what the United States could accomplish with a government that worked for everyone, instead of just AT&T, Verizon and Comcast."

Amen! This is what is so disappointing... We could easily be like Japan (at least in the cities) with lots of choices, speed, services, lack of restrictions, and low prices....

... but we won't do it.

Still, very interesting data.
SilverSurfer1
join:2007-08-19

1 recommendation

SilverSurfer1

Member

Re: True Words

said by KrK:

We could easily be like Japan (at least in the cities) with lots of choices, speed, services, lack of restrictions, and low prices....

The U.S. will never be like Japan or any of the other 14 countries preceding the U.S. on the BB penetration list. And the reason for that is simple. The Japanese et al. build their infrastructure (i.e. broadband) with the idea of the greatest good for all. Doesn't matter what your socio-economic status is. This philosophy is completely anathema to everything the U.S. has become in the past 50 yrs or so.

We're not about the greatest good anymore. We're about the greatest good(in this case wealth) to an elite uberwealthy 1%. In this case, it's VZ et al.

Cabal
Premium Member
join:2007-01-21

Cabal

Premium Member

Newsflash

New Broadband Data Shows U.S. To Be Thoroughly Rural.

SpaethCo
Digital Plumber
MVM
join:2001-04-21
Minneapolis, MN

SpaethCo

MVM

Broadband is an add-on product

The thing about broadband service in the US is that the vast majority of the coverage is done through networks built for some other purpose.

- DOCSIS (cable TV plant)
- DSL (PSTN infrastructure)
- 3G wireless (Cellular infrastructure)
- Satellite (DBS / TV sat infrastructure)
- BPL (Power utility infrastructure)

The price point for broadband is as low as it is in the US because the last mile connection is being subsidized by other services. Just look at all of the muni-wifi and fiber projects (ie, Utopia) that are struggling financially in trying to deploy an IP-only delivery solution. If we want more competition, we either need to get used to paying more for broadband services or hope some other new killer app comes along with a profitable reason to deliver some type of connection to our homes.

•••

FLengineer
CCNA, CEH, MCSA
Premium Member
join:2007-06-26
Deltona, FL

FLengineer

Premium Member

FCC or "The Muppets"

A puppet organization being manipulated by the same companies it's supposed to be governing is what we have now. The FCC is a spineless good for nothing waste of tax money put in place to make the taxpayers think that our best interest is being pursued. Don't you think that the problems Verizon is having which caused a State of Florida Attorney General to get involved should have been an FCC issue instead? It wasn't because the FCC called Verizon and said "Dad, I think this violates the law." and Verizon said "SHUT YOU LITTLE BRAT!!! Now go attack Vonage for E911 services"

•••
SunnyFL8
Premium Member
join:2001-02-08

SunnyFL8

Premium Member

No suprise to me

Sounds about right. The back bones alone in the US is incredible. But to the end user, it hasn't been adopted fully yet, price of fiber and roll out not including user end equipment is not cheap.

Until then, I am happy with what I have.

Sure beats 53k. Which I never had even on a good day.

ftthruralny
@taconic.net

ftthruralny

Anon

fiber to the home

ive been researching and studying a ftth network in rural new york for months now. it is possible and cost effective. i called the public service commission today and spoke to a man by the name of bob larson. he told me i was wasting my time and thats what i get for living in a rural area. exact words. he said this area will NEVER EVER get fiber even in 100 years. he said no one is stupid enough to provide ftth service here. FUNNY THING IS: he said albany isn't going to be wired for fiber for another 20 years. haha verizon has already started! DUMBA*S! and this area has NO COMPETITION. one telephone provider which is also the DSL provider. one cable company. shitttty services.

LOOK @ WHO THE GOVENRMENT IS HIRING. a*s^^H0L3s. haha.

celltarded
@dsl.bell.ca

celltarded

Anon

i think canada has fibre

im pretty sure city place in toronto (canada) which is like 27 building containing like 6000 units all come prewired with 100mbps fibre internet from telus

»www.mytelus.com/cityplac ··· ernet.vm
mjwise
join:2007-05-09
Ann Arbor, MI

mjwise

Member

Wow...

you know, BBR news postings became a hangout for cranks with any sort of off-topic axe to grind so gradually I hardly even noticed.
neofast
join:2004-09-13
Weston, OR

neofast

Member

Right... NOT!

Yeah, we need a "national broadband policy" like we need a hole in the head.

What can a "policy" do besides hurt the people who ARE trying to serve broadband to the public - like me?

I serve out of the way areas that are otherwise uneconomical to deliver broadband via wire or physical means. I fail to see how government can do ANYTHING but hurt me. Every time the feds decide they can do something better, we all suffer.

wellLetsSee
@comcast.net

wellLetsSee

Anon

We Are...

22nd in price.

wholy crap.

that sucks bigtime.

SpaethCo
Digital Plumber
MVM
join:2001-04-21
Minneapolis, MN

SpaethCo

MVM

Re: We Are...

said by wellLetsSee :

22nd in price.
Only if you don't adjust for the cost of broadband as a percentage of income.