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Verizon Wireless Plans Turbo Boost Broadband
Get Bumped to the Head of the Congestion Line -- For a Fee
According to a report in PC Magazine, Verizon this week showcased an new API they plan to give developers that could allow consumers to "turbocharge" the network bandwidth their smartphone apps use for a small fee. For example, Verizon envisions a future where users facing network congestion could, with the push of a button and a small fee, be bumped to the front of the line ahead of other users -- dramatically improving an application's performance. Verizon executive Hugh Fletcher puts it this way in conversations with the Magazine:
quote:
""One of the things that we are right now is very democratic in terms of allocating spectrum and bandwidth to users. And just because you request a high quality of service doesn't mean you're going to get it. [The network] will try to give it to you, but if there's a lot of congestion, a lot of people using it, it won't kick people off... I think you could anticipate that maybe you'll have a Skype call that starts going bad," Fletcher said. "Wouldn't you like to be able to hit the turbo button and have that come back up to be a good call?"
This kind of technology could be subject to abuse, giving users vastly different experiences of the Internet depending on how much additional cash they're willing to pony up. That was the concerns of network neutrality opponents, though Verizon Wireless played a big part in ensuring new FCC network neutrality rules don't cover wireless networks. Implementation will, of course, be key.
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Noah Vail
Oh God please no.
Premium Member
join:2004-12-10
SouthAmerica

Noah Vail

Premium Member

You can't buy preference out of thin air

You can only get to the head of the line by pushing someone else further down the queue.

So pay or get pushed back.

NV

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

FFH5

Premium Member

Re: You can't buy preference out of thin air

said by Noah Vail:

You can only get to the head of the line by pushing someone else further down the queue.

So pay or get pushed back.

NV

The Golden Rule appears again. Those who have the Gold rule.
bobny1
join:2004-09-10
Bronx, NY

bobny1

Member

Re: You can't buy preference out of thin air

LOL..Here we go with the 1% again!

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt to Noah Vail

Premium Member

to Noah Vail
so in phase 2, you get to bid against everyone else for the limited bandwidth in a given location.
phase 3 is bidding to cut others bandwidth.

I guessing that people won't be 2 suprized when the find out that the billing computer can make your connection appear to be congested (to up your bidding)even if you are alone on the cell.
sandman_1
join:2011-04-23
11111

sandman_1

Member

Life

Kind of like it is now. If you are rich you can get everything you want. If you are poor you get stepped on.

thegeek
Premium Member
join:2008-02-21
right here

thegeek

Premium Member

$$$

Why do I get the feeling that Verizon is also cooking up a way to artificially create congestion? And slowing build out at the same time?

This will likely become a new standard in the industry as 90% of consumers will just open their wallets.

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

Smith6612

MVM

What happens if...

There are too many users trying to Turbo Boost their connection on the same tower? Well then I guess it's back to Square one!

EvelKub
Kitty is crazy
Premium Member
join:2002-03-17
Mesa, AZ

EvelKub

Premium Member

Re: What happens if...

Maybe you can hit that "speed up" button more than once... and each press increases your priority one point.

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

Smith6612

MVM

Re: What happens if...

True for both of the replies
rradina
join:2000-08-08
Chesterfield, MO

rradina to EvelKub

Member

to EvelKub
...and your fees! What a grand revenue engine for VZ!

thegeek
Premium Member
join:2008-02-21
right here

thegeek to Smith6612

Premium Member

to Smith6612
said by Smith6612:

There are too many users trying to Turbo Boost their connection on the same tower? Well then I guess it's back to Square one!

1. Verizon introduces Super Turbo Boost
2. ???
3. Profit

jmn1207
Premium Member
join:2000-07-19
Sterling, VA

jmn1207 to Smith6612

Premium Member

to Smith6612
If it is being overused, they will simply increase the fee for this feature. This is a great way to increase prices on their service without having to invest additional resources into the infrastructure.

Eventually, I see a bunch of small wireless companies starting up with very localized coverage, but perhaps with high speeds and unlimited bandwidth. I will have to use the local device when I am at home or work, and a separate carrier like AT&T or Verizon when I travel. This would be a modified version of how most use WiFi with 3G/4G service now, only that 4G will take over as a broader-ranged "WiFi-like" service in your immediate area.

Maybe 10 years?

dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium Member
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ

dvd536 to Smith6612

Premium Member

to Smith6612
said by Smith6612:

There are too many users trying to Turbo Boost their connection on the same tower? Well then I guess it's back to Square one!

And no refunds!
jjeffeory
jjeffeory
join:2002-12-04
Bloomington, IN

1 recommendation

jjeffeory

Member

Network Neutrality

Doesn't this violate network neutrality somehow?

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt

Premium Member

Re: Network Neutrality

said by jjeffeory:

Doesn't this violate network neutrality somehow?

Doesn't apply to wireless...only maybe sort of applies to wired
jjeffeory
jjeffeory
join:2002-12-04
Bloomington, IN

jjeffeory

Member

Re: Network Neutrality

Oh yea, that sounds like correct information. Ugh. The wireless bill is already more than the cable/internet bill from the same company.

ArrayList
DevOps
Premium Member
join:2005-03-19
Mullica Hill, NJ

ArrayList

Premium Member

Re: Network Neutrality

verizon wireless != verizon

Noah Vail
Oh God please no.
Premium Member
join:2004-12-10
SouthAmerica

Noah Vail

Premium Member

Re: Network Neutrality

said by ArrayList:

verizon wireless != verizon

Well...
said by VzWiki :

Verizon Wireless, is one of the largest mobile network operators in the United States.

Headquartered in Basking Ridge, New Jersey, the company is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone, with 55 and 45 percent ownership respectively.

Verizon Wireless is majority owned by Verizon.

NV

asdfdfdfdfdf
@myvzw.com

asdfdfdfdfdf to jjeffeory

Anon

to jjeffeory
This is exactly the sort of thing that net neutrality advocates were trying to keep from happening and this is exactly why net neutrality principles should have been applied to wireless as well, especially given that the bells have given up interest in wireline and are focusing almost exclusively on wireless. This is also another reason why we should not delude ourselves into believing that wireless is a viable substitute for wireline.
We have created the wrong kind of incentives in america and it leads to this sort of "innovation".

spewak
R.I.P Dadkins
Premium Member
join:2001-08-07
Elk Grove, CA

spewak

Premium Member

Using the Airlines' model now

Dbags! Pay us for this, pay us for that. I know, users choice.
expert007
join:2006-01-10
Buffalo, NY

1 recommendation

expert007

Member

Re: Using the Airlines' model now

No, the airline model is much different. Though its largely their own fault, airlines NEED to charge for this and that because their costs are extraordinarily high and there is *without doubt* an additional cost to them when you lug a suitcase vs a carry-on. (Just one example, there are MANY more I could offer)

This model with VZ gives them a perverse incentive to NEVER invest in improving infrastructure. As someone already pointed out, there's only so much capacity....so someone who doesn't choose to pay is definitely getting bumped to an inferior grade of service.

It would be like an airline saying mid-flight "Your ticket only paid for the flight. Now fork over $$ more for landing.
megatron266
Premium Member
join:2007-08-11
Miami, FL

1 edit

megatron266

Premium Member

Easy Fix

Don't push the button! Enough said.

IPPlanMan
Holy Cable Modem Batman
join:2000-09-20
Washington, DC

1 recommendation

IPPlanMan

Member

Reminds me of this...


Engage!
Engage!


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

Matt3

Premium Member

Re: Reminds me of this...

said by IPPlanMan:

Engage!


Whoa, I had that exact same case back in the day. Crazy.

IPPlanMan
Holy Cable Modem Batman
join:2000-09-20
Washington, DC

IPPlanMan

Member

Re: Reminds me of this...

Ha! That's awesome.

Tomek
Premium Member
join:2002-01-30
Valley Stream, NY

Tomek

Premium Member

Speed Tiers

Why Wireless cannot offer plans similar to wired?

mb6
join:2000-07-23
Washington, NJ
Netgear CM1150V
Netgear R7800

mb6

Member

Kool Aid

This just strenghtens my intentions to return to using a "dumb" phone when my current contract expires. I now get unlimited 4G for an additional $25.49/month, and enjoy the Kool Aid, but I can survive with plain water I'm sure. This just reinforces my feelings that Capitalism has run amok!

Squirrelly
join:2000-10-24
Harrisburg, PA

Squirrelly

Member

Re: Kool Aid

I won't be using this, thats for sure.
tom thomas
join:2010-11-04

tom thomas

Member

what if its not the network?

a lot of the issue people are having on smartphones in general and android in particular are actual hardware/software and not network related.

but people do not know this. i can see some people getting pretty pissed off if they hit the turbo button, get charged but the prblem does not go away.

also will verizon offer an 'always in turbo' option, where it sim ply works well all the time? that of course is what people want and would be will to pay for. in fact price it reasonable enough and everyone will sign up. OH wait a second. that might be a problem, no one to kick off.

morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000

morbo

Member

Network Neutrality needed for wireless

This is why network neutrality is needed for wireless. Telco greed knows no bounds.
decifal7
join:2007-03-10
Bon Aqua, TN

decifal7

Member

simple

It will be simple.. If my iphone becomes unenjoyable with my 30 dollar grandfathered plan. When time comes for the soo called upgrade aka contract ends, i'm dumping the whole damn thing and finding a cheaper service.. I am soo sick of all of this nickle and diming...

Btw, before someone puts on their cape and accuses me of hogging all of the bandwidth on my tower, I barely go beyond 2 gigs in my area (this includes use outside of my home area).. Probably due to poor coverage, but even then a 5 gig allowance would work for my iphone just fine for the moment I think.

I would like to enjoy my damn phone for the monthly payments i'm paying! Any attempts to squeeze me more will result in what happened with the banks when they had the team delta force plan of charging 5 a month just to be allowed to use them.. The only drawback is being this is a nearly monopolistic wireless country, our options are extremely limited :-/

i1me2ao
Premium Member
join:2001-03-03
TEXAS

i1me2ao

Premium Member

how

about actually giving a stable 3g signal, that would be nice.

delete the fu&*( bloatware reporting back and that would free the tubes up.

Selenia
Gentoo Convert
Premium Member
join:2006-09-22
Fort Smith, AR

Selenia

Premium Member

Verizon just ensured I wait for AT&T LTE

This is like those stupid speed passes at amusement parks on a busy day. Bend over and pay $1** and worsen the quality and speed of service for those not willing to pay. I can picture it when a business convention comes to town and stays at one of the bigger hotels. If it's at the Crowne Plaza, those of us watching our funds and not buying into this will be lucky to be able to use their phones near the main City square in Pittsfield(1 town south of here). Reminds me of Labor Day at Six Flags

•••••••
tmc8080
join:2004-04-24
Brooklyn, NY

tmc8080

Member

extra??

I thought that was called POST PAID.. where the carriers ALREADY make a price gouging profit.. you mean the wirless carriers want to make an extra high fee toll lane for wireless broadband/data?

This will probably push into the realm of illegal at some point.. already the carriers charge around $10/gb of data consumed. To charge more is getting into the octane business that retail gasoline stations do.. but for your "SMART" computer phone. However consumers would be "STUPID AND FOOLISH" to buy such a service.

lahey
@personainc.net

lahey

Anon

lol

Why don't they just you know.......build more network support infrastructure? If they had more things sending out more signals it would equal less congestion, better faster network, happier customers, and more future customers which equals more profit over time.

But that would require them to spend money now.....greedy bastards.