  ropeguruPremium
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA | Lame to say the least... Only expanding to 400,000 homes over the next three years across their entire franchise areas? That is crap!!! | |
|
 |  gar187erI do this for a living
join:2006-06-24
Dover, DE
kudos:1 | Re: Lame to say the least... it will be much higher then that....but whther or not 400,000 subs are gained from adding the passings is another story
--
I'm better than you! | |
|
| | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | Re: Lame to say the least... where did you get subscriber GAIN from that initial blog posting? | |
|
| Reviews:
 ·Charter
| actually, it makes no mention that these have to be now hook ups, so it could be just adding 400000 subscribers within their service areas, regardless of if they are new hookups or not, would finish that. They probably go thru 400k total hookups of new, and returning customers every 2 to 3 years, so this is one of those "already gets filled regardless" requirements. The $10 dollar broadband is gonna not be tru broadband, at less than 4mbps down and less than 1 up, but hey, the FCC has no power to regulate, and the FTC is owned by the stockholders anyways. | |
|
| | | | Re: Lame to say the least... I also wonder how many under 20k a year households have computers. I was once in that position and I didn't have one, or a smartphone, sometimes not even a phone. That's like being offered a free stove when you don't have anything to cook, and then being told well you don't need the stove then do you? | |
|
| | | | | Re: Lame to say the least... Comcast plans to offer low cost computers ($150) to low income households. | |
|
| | | | | | Re: Lame to say the least... That is a good deal. Never mind the $10 broadband thing. They can get free wifi at a lot of places. So that would help them a lot. | |
|
| | | | | | | Re: Lame to say the least... They also got pretty specific as to what it would be:
Under this Comcast Broadband Opportunity Program (“CBOP”), each eligible
participating family will:
1. Receive the Economy version of our High-Speed Internet Service for $9.95 a month –
a rate for which the household will qualify so long as it meets the “eligibility
criteria” below;
2. Pay no installation or modem charges or fees (although we may use our self-install
program);
3. Be eligible for one piece of pre-configured, quality computer equipment (which may
include rebuilt PCs, netbooks, or other devices) for less than $150 (the equipment
will be sold to the customer by a third-party vendor-partner of Comcast’s, with
Comcast providing any subsidy required to bring the equipment cost below $150).
4. Have access to web-based, print, and classroom-based training programs, provided
in partnership with One Economy and other current and future Comcast community
partners in our digital literacy efforts, including Boys and Girls Clubs, and Urban
League and National Council of La Raza affiliate organizations. Comcast will create
and fund these programs (although we may seek Foundation and other funds to
defray these costs).
So I'm guessing that they may partner with some recycling firm and offer older PCs or maybe get low cost netbooks for low income households. It really isn't hard to get a basic $150 computer even if it is a couple of years old. A pentium 4 or older core 2 duo running Linux is plenty for basic websurfing and email. | |
|
| | | | | |  Simba7I Void Warranties
join:2003-03-24
Billings, MT | Re: Lame to say the least... said by fifty nine:A pentium 4 or older core 2 duo running Linux is plenty for basic websurfing and email. Actually, a P4 is rather decent on the 'net and even an older C2D is rather impressive. You can do it with a P3, but you're really pushing it (Flash Content, Java, etc).
Not everyone needs an i3 or newer. A C2D (and even my Pentium E5200) can handle the 'net with ease. My wife's Athlon64 2GHz (single core) doesn't have a problem, either.
I would suggest at least 512MB of Memory and Windows XP, though. That should be easy enough to come up with.
--
Bresnan 18M/1M
MyWS[E5200@3.75GHz,4GB RAM,2x1TB HDDs,Win7]
WifeWS[A64@2GHz,2GB RAM,120GB HDD,Win7]
Router[2xP3@1GHz,512MB RAM,18GB HDD,SMC 8432BTA,2xDigital DE504,Compaq NC3131,Intel Pro/1000MT,IBM Gigabit Ethernet-SX,Allied Telesyn AT2560FX,Gentoo Linux] | |
|
| | | | | | | | | Re: Lame to say the least... I think they will be using a Microsoft OS since they are bundling it with Norton. | |
|
| | | | | | | | Simba7I Void Warranties
join:2003-03-24
Billings, MT | Re: Lame to say the least... Norton? Ewww..
I dumped Norton 4 years ago (ever since it allowed a worm to nail my workstation without stopping it). I switched to ESET IS and haven't had issues since. | |
|
| | | | | | | bn1221
join:2009-04-29
Cortland, NY | 10 bucks for 384K up and 1.5Mbit down isn't bad either. | |
|
| | | | | | | |  IowaManPremium
join:2008-08-21
Grinnell, IA | Re: Lame to say the least... Comcast should copy what Medicom has which is 3mb/256 and have it be for $10 well it can be... | |
|
| | | | | | | | | bn1221
join:2009-04-29
Cortland, NY | Re: Lame to say the least... Time Warner's 128/768 is 34.99 a month.....Suddenly Comcast doesn't look so bad. | |
|
| | | | | | | | Yeah, cuz everyone is willing to utilize Linux RIGHT?, although i think its become d even more user friendly than windows has. | |
|
| | | | | | If Comcast is planning on offering low cost computers....then they didn't mention that to the service techs that will be dealing with those. Rumors are based on speculation and hearsay you know.
Each tech site will do their own community involvement for potential new customers.
Even if there is a low cost option for internet access, 1MB service is still better than the 756k for DSL that ATT already offers, which is also having union issues, yet again.
With the recent merger, some of us service techs can't keep the service working correctly since everything went digital and Motorola is having a hard time keeping up with the demand for new DVR's, so now service is lacking and a lot of fringe benefits for the holidays are now gone, because of merger.
I am beginning to question the direction of the cable part of the company and how we can't advance within the company to strict performance standards to keep those in their current positions or bring in a big wave of new hires to perform like they want them to be. just saying...... | |
|
| | | | | | | Re: Lame to say the least... said by Really :If Comcast is planning on offering low cost computers....then they didn't mention that to the service techs that will be dealing with those. Rumors are based on speculation and hearsay you know. It's not speculation or hearsay, it's from Comcast's own proposal to the FCC.
Do you really think they would have told the service techs their plan before releasing it to the FCC? | |
|
| | | | | | | said by Really :If Comcast is planning on offering low cost computers....then they didn't mention that to the service techs that will be dealing with those. Rumors are based on speculation and hearsay you know.
They are going to do the computer part of it with a third party partner, not Comcast techs. They are also going to use charity orgs and community groups to provide training:
Be eligible for one piece of pre-configured, quality computer equipment (which may
include rebuilt PCs, netbooks, or other devices) for less than $150 (the equipment
will be sold to the customer by a third-party vendor-partner of Comcast’s, with
Comcast providing any subsidy required to bring the equipment cost below $150).
4. Have access to web-based, print, and classroom-based training programs, provided
in partnership with One Economy and other current and future Comcast community
partners in our digital literacy efforts, including Boys and Girls Clubs, and Urban
League and National Council of La Raza affiliate organizations. Comcast will create
and fund these programs (although we may seek Foundation and other funds to
defray these costs).
...
Several computer training and support options will be offered. At the time of installation,
each participating household will received basic instructional materials and a phone number for
a dedicated support desk. The computer equipment will be pre-configured with a “wizard” to
facilitate e-mail set-ups and the setting of parental controls. Shortcuts to “getting started”
tutorials will appear on the desktop. Each piece of equipment will ship with Norton security preinstalled. Comcast and its partner organizations will offer “training days” at NSLPparticipating schools in Comcast’s service areas, as well as at instruction facilities operated by
our community partners. | |
|
| | | |
| | | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | Are you kidding? in many cases, someone making 20K a year can most certainly afford a computer, unless they've straddled themselves with too many kids they can't afford and got "we the people" to pay for..
In today's world, in the younger generation's budget, things like having a laptop, or a computer, a smart phone with an un-affordable-to-them service plan, an MP3 player, and other toys are far more important than, I dunno, getting serious and establishing themselves. Besides, its easier to just go 'crash' at a friend's house and float on by.
see, the extreme examples do work both ways, but really, $20K a year does allow for someone to afford a $300 computer if they really made it a priority. | |
|
| | | | said by Chubbysumo:actually, it makes no mention that these have to be now hook ups, so it could be just adding 400000 subscribers within their service areas, regardless of if they are new hookups or not, would finish that. They probably go thru 400k total hookups of new, and returning customers every 2 to 3 years, so this is one of those "already gets filled regardless" requirements. The $10 dollar broadband is gonna not be tru broadband, at less than 4mbps down and less than 1 up, but hey, the FCC has no power to regulate, and the FTC is owned by the stockholders anyways.
Have you even read the letter? Didn't think so. They are adding an estimated 400k homes by adding 1500 miles of plant per year:
Comcast will expand its existing network by at least 1,500 miles per year for the next
three years (2011, 2012, and 2013), making broadband Internet available to an estimated
400,000 additional homes; | |
|
| | | Reviews:
·ProLog
 ·DIRECTV
| Re: Lame to say the least... Oh man, I hope they expand into my neighborhood. I moved about 2 miles from their end of line. It would be nice if they could be added as competition to Service Electric. Plus SECV doesn't have Remote DVR programming or an iphone/ipad app, or HD VOD (or such an extensive on demand library for that matter). | |
|
| | | | | | Re: Lame to say the least... said by cypherstream:Oh man, I hope they expand into my neighborhood. I moved about 2 miles from their end of line. It would be nice if they could be added as competition to Service Electric. Plus SECV doesn't have Remote DVR programming or an iphone/ipad app, or HD VOD (or such an extensive on demand library for that matter).
You could get a tivo or media center to do all of those things. Seriously, I am never using a crappy cable DVR ever again. | |
|
| | | | rody_44Premium
join:2004-02-20
Quakertown, PA | Not going to happen. Comcast will not expand into service electric territory. I can show you where both service and comcast has lines on the same poles. But neither will expand into each others territory. | |
|
| | | Reviews:
·Charter
| Where in that does it say they have to be all NEW subscribers? It simply says they will add 400k subs by the end of a 3 year period. Sure some of them will come from the minuscule 1500 mile per year expansion that they already meet or exceed now, but they can and will probably count returning customers as new subs, contract extensions of existing customers as new subs, and any and all connections that didn't exist to their network(meaning those that had no Internet, that's a "new" sub, and those that reconnect after shutoff, that's a "new" sub, see my point?). I'm gonna guess that if you counted all the people that could be considered "new" subs under that logic for the last 3 years, it probably exceeded 400k easily. Concert lost some, and gained some. See my point, it's a non goal. It's a "goal" that looks good on paper, but is already reached by using twisted logic(you know comcast will), so comcast doesn't really have to change what they are ALREADY doing. Any more stupid questions? This is concert we are talking about. | |
|
| | | | | | Re: Lame to say the least... Comcast will expand its existing network by at least 1,500 miles per year for the next
three years (2011, 2012, and 2013), making broadband Internet available to an estimated
400,000 additional homes;
Note the highlights.
They didn't commit to 400k new homes being served. They only committed to the 1500 miles of new plant per year for 3 years which they estimate will bring in 400k additional subscribers during that period. | |
|
| | | | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | There is a difference between homes passed and subscriber growth. The government doesn't give a rats ass for comcast to GAIN customers, just that THE SERVICE is AVAILABLE to an ADDITIONAL 400,000K homes. | |
|
| | $10 broadband, by whos definition? $10 "broadband" anything over dialup? or 4Mbps down 1Mbps up? | |
|
| ropeguruPremium
join:2001-01-25
Mechanicsville, VA | Re: $10 broadband, by whos definition? said by thedragonmas:$10 "broadband" anything over dialup? or 4Mbps down 1Mbps up?
That will be interesting to see if they follow the FCC's definition of broadband. Which as you wrote is 4/1. | |
|
| | Reviews:
·WOW Internet and..
| Re: $10 broadband, by whos definition? you think they're going to listen to the FCC. After this is approved; Comcast and their lawyers and legal team slap the FCC so fast it won't even be funny.
The FCC has NO legal power to enforce nor require any of these things done. Why doesn't anyone on here get that??!?!?!?!?! The FCC has NO LEGAL POWER over the Internet. It is NOT a telecommuncations service NOR operate over the public airwaves. | |
|
| | |  tshirtPremium,MVM
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA
kudos:3
·Comcast
| Re: $10 broadband, by whos definition? said by hottboiinnc:The FCC has NO legal power to enforce nor require any of these things done. Why doesn't anyone on here get that??!?!?!?!?! The FCC has NO LEGAL POWER over the Internet. It is NOT a telecommuncations service NOR operate over the public airwaves.
Not exactly true.. The FCC took over wire communication regulation from the Interstate Commerce Commission...however it's regulation authority is only on the interstate portion, and defining what qualifies as interstate vs intrastate or local service and most of the regulations written are more aplicable to telephony and broadcast rather than other electronic media (internet/network/computer apps).
worse of all there is little money, documentation or guidance (congressional mandates) towards ENFORCEMENT. i.e. even if they had a clue what to do, there is little case law or mechinism as to HOW to enforce their goals.
Also they do recognize the internet media and communication is still evolving and don't wish to create any barriers which may block some unforseen new application or development (like most bureaucracies, the FCC is slow, plodding, and cautious (perhaps excessively) and is number of years behind the times...no where near the cutting edge) | |
|
| | | Reviews:
 ·magicjack.com
| said by hottboiinnc:The FCC has NO legal power to enforce nor require any of these things done. Why doesn't anyone on here get that??!?!?!?!?!
The FCC apparently believes it does. Congress hasn't taken any steps to rein in the FCC's interpretation of the existing Communications Act. The FCC proceeded with so-called "neutrality" even after the federal appellate court ruled the FCC had no authority.
It seems like the FCC is pushing for Congress or the Supreme Court to decide. Making proposals to the FCC indicates Comcast doesn't want to force the issue either.
I think everyone knows that if an ISP began acting like the FCC has no power, Congress or the Supreme Court would act. For example, if an ISP began blocking VoIP (to promote its own preferred VoIP service), or charging extra to watch teevee on the internet.
So, the FCC has power. We just don't know exactly what that power is yet. The FCC has taken steps to force the issue. For example, the new Congress will get the fun job of dealing with the devils in the details rather than sitting on the sidelines and screaming "No!" | |
|
| | | They are going to get the economy tier. | |
|
|  dvd536as Mr. Pink as they comePremium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4 | said by thedragonmas:$10 "broadband" anything over dialup? or 4Mbps down 1Mbps up?
More like 384k / 64k
actually it can be anything over what max dialup is. so 53666bps/33600bps.
--
The shortest distance between 2 points adds 1.5 stars to T. want $25? solve »coord.info/GC20A37 for me | |
|
| | fiberguyMy views are my own.Premium
join:2005-05-20
kudos:3 | Re: $10 broadband, by whos definition? Well, they already defined it as 'our economy tier' which is 1.5/384. | |
|
| | $10 Broadband I have to admit, if this is true, this is good to see a huge company take such a step. Would be nice for my Mom to finally be able to afford internet as she is on a fixed income with disability. Good job on that as far as that goes.
--
Capturing the images of Colorado
»jdebordphoto.com | |
|
|
See 12 replies to this post |
|
| | How about highlighting some of the good things? Nevermind, I guess people wouldn't be able to bash Comcast then.
Anyway, some of the conditions are sounding pretty good.
For starters, Comcast is pledging to keep the main NBC channel free OTA. This is a GOOD thing, and goes exactly against the fears that some had in that they thought that NBC would be going cable only.
They are also increasing local programming by 1000 hours per year and adding local content via ondemand. Also a good thing!
There are many many good things that Comcast has agreed to. Of course I don't expect too much focus on them, because Comcast is often portrayed as an evil monopoly and nothing else. | |
|
| | | Re: How about highlighting some of the good things? said by fifty nine:For starters, Comcast is pledging to keep the main NBC channel free OTA. This is a GOOD thing, and goes exactly against the fears that some had in that they thought that NBC would be going cable only.
Anyone that thought this in the first place was an idiot.
NBC/Universal doesn't own all of the programming on their main NBC network. They'd lose the NFL if they went cable only and whatever other professional and college sports they air, unless they work out new higher cost deals. They'd lose all of the shows that are not produced by NBC, which is quite a few of the shows they air. They would lose all the money from local NBC affiliates that they don't own. So basically, if NBC went cable only, they'd lose most of the shows and content that people watch anyway. So what would be the point of NBC going cable only?
NBC/Universal already has cable only channels, USA being one of them.
I don't know why anyone thought the OTA NBC would become a cable only channel in this. | |
|
| | | | Re: How about highlighting some of the good things? The other thing is ratings. There are only a few channels that are cable only that even come close to the big 4 in primetime ratings. | |
|
 P NessYou'Ve Forgotten 9-11 AlreadyPremium
join:2001-08-29
way way out | whoot more of my money.... going to pay for other people's stuff.
--
 NO U | |
|
|
|
See 18 replies to this post |
|
| |  ha ha ha $10...
| |
|
| | | Re: ha ha ha $10... They are only offering it for 3 years anyway. | |
|
| | VDI? Why doesn't Comcast use VDI (Virtual Desktop) for this? Give the home a dumb terminal, monitor, KB and mouse.
This would allow browsing the web and save millions in support costs.
I just don't see how you can sell a low end PC to someone and not expect the support costs to go thru the roof.
With VDI you could easily manage tens of thousands of PCs and control the OS at Comcast head quarters. Comcast could open the pipe a bit more from the home to the server then QoS at the data center. | |
|
| | | Re: VDI? They will probably lock it down and outsource the tech support to India so it will be cheap. That is my guess when they say "dedicated support desk." | |
|
| | | | Re: VDI? Maybe they worked out a deal with Google for the "free" Chrome netbook? | |
|
|
| | | Re: Will Comcast charge customers to make up for lost reveue. If they come through this will be a good thing. I have an inherent distrust of them, but this is good stuff.
As far as I am concerned, the actual definition of broadband is the opposite of narrowband - i.e. dialup. Really, broadband was defined back when it first came out, and 256k was the speed. If it was broadband then it is broadband now - make up another name if you want to distinguish 4mb up 1mb down. Now I would personally never want speeds that low, but if I was broke and it was the difference between my sons having an internet connection for school and not I would deal without Youtube. Even then, 1.5mb can be used on youtube just fine with a little patience.
Also, the letter says 400,000 homes - not adding 400,000 subscribers or any of the other nitpicking here. Comcast screws up more than often enough that we don't have to make crap up to make them look bad. RTFA before making stuff up please. | |
|
| | | | Re: Will Comcast charge customers to make up for lost reveue. They also never promised 400k subscribers. They promised 4500 miles of plant extension over 3 years which is estimated to bring in 400k subscribers.
One thing they have promised is service to six additional rural communities.
I'm yet to see that from Verizon FiOS who gets a lot of praise on this site. In fact Verizon has been dumping rural markets, not wiring them up with next gen broadband. In fact Verizon seems content sticking rural areas with crappy LTE and then uses this to create an artificial spectrum crisis so they can run to uncle sam begging for more spectrum. Comcast seems to be doing more for rural America than Verizon is. | |
|
| | $10 a month? Knowing Comcast... ...it will be a 500MB per month bandwidth cap with $10 per MB overage charge calling it "reasonable network management" because they can't have all those poor people hogging resources for the "profitable" customers can they? | |
|
| | | Re: $10 a month? Knowing Comcast... or someing like must buy basic tv at $20 more or maybe even comcast digital economy tv. | |
|
| | | | Re: $10 a month? Knowing Comcast... You guys are so off base. Comcast has already spelled out what the terms are, and not many will qualify for this anyway. | |
|
 pnh102Reptiles Are Cuddly And PrettyPremium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD | Great... More Welfare
--
"Net Neutrality" zealots - the people you can thank for your capped Internet service. | |
|
|
See 13 replies to this post |
|
| | Eat the Poor; Feed the Rich Well roadrunner in Manhattan is barely 10/512 more like 9/480 at night for standard, cost going to $50 month Jan '11.
Heck I'd put in for one of these kits for $10 any day. Naturally not available in select areas like the $0.99 McD's everywhere but $3+ at Rock Center.
Don't know how TW came to have such a lock in supposedly the most competitive place in the country? Capitalism, cronyism.
The $10 Molasses level is designed to give the poor last notice when the big one hits. Can't you just see them being last out the door when the word comes around to flee the Island? "Oh, didn't you get the email blast?"
Then again being late to the party has it's advantages as in "The second mouse gets the cheese." Better to be the fat mouse. | |
|
u3912974
join:2007-07-31
San Francisco, CA | Comcast has gotten so rich of its subscribers "Under this Comcast Broadband Opportunity Program (“CBOP”), each eligible
participating family will:
Receive the Economy version of our High-Speed Internet Service for $9.95 a month –
a rate for which the household will qualify so long as it meets the “eligibility criteria"" | |
|
| | Low income package At the 756k package you don't qualify for most online schooling. It just drives more and more customers to our wireless Internet services. 756k doesn’t meet the 4 meg to qualify as broadband AND streaming wont happen at that connection. Voip calls with a couple of user online forget it. I'm sure that Comcast will stick it to someone somehow. ALL monopoly’s eventually do. | |
|
| | | Re: Low income package Most low income children don't use online schooling.
In fact, I am sure most children don't use online schooling.
This is just fine for what it is intended to do, provide a means for low income children to access the internet - primarily for schoolwork and research. You certainly don't need faster than 756k for that, and it seems to be 1.5mb from all reports. I don't know, I pay for the faster tier but this seems like a genuinely good thing. | |
|
| | | A lot of wireless ISPs dont fit the 4/1 definition either. | |
|
|
|
| | | Re: All well and good Comcast has pledged to offer free installation. | |
|
| | |
|
jfmezeiPremium
join:2007-01-03
Pointe-Claire, QC
kudos:22 Reviews:
 ·ELECTRONICBOX
| Offer is not related to the merger. This is about a cable company and ISP buying a media company. Any conditions should be related to the control of a distributor over the content generator.
Offering to continue to grow the ISP business has nothing to do with the purchase of NBC. (especially since Comcast would be doing it anyways.) | |
|
|
|
·
Are we talking about 768K Down?
The last time I inquired about the download speed if I dropped back to the $24.95 retention monthly rate I was advised that it would be 768K down. Unless the low income customers get 4Mbps down the promise of broadband is BS based on the current definition broadband download speed.
·