Lack of Competition Holds Back U.S. Broadband
Linked by Howard Fosdick on Thu 24th Jan 2013 10:12 UTC
Internet & Networking In the past, OS News has discussed how U.S. broadband access lags many other countries in terms of cost, speed, and availability. Now, this detailed report from the New America Foundation tells why. It all comes down to a lack of competition among the carriers, which can be traced back to the days when cable companies were granted local monopolies. The report argues that "...data caps... are hardly a necessity. Rather, they are motivated by a desire to further increase revenues from existing subscribers and protect legacy services such as cable television from competing Internet services." The report's conclusion: don't expect improvements without legislative action.
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Comcast vs Verizon
by transputer_guy on Thu 24th Jan 2013 17:44 UTC
transputer_guy
Member since:
2005-07-08

When we cancelled Comcast phone and TV, they increased the internet charge to $70+ for the 20/4 service. Verizon internet only is also $70+ for an slower 15/5 FIOS service.

For very low income Comcast customers, there is the "Essentials" program for a humble 1mb/s for $10/month that includes modem (thanks to the NBC merger). Not much use for TV streaming or download junkies.

Edited 2013-01-24 17:45 UTC

Reply Score: 2

RE: Comcast vs Verizon
by Alfman on Thu 24th Jan 2013 18:39 in reply to "Comcast vs Verizon"
Alfman Member since:
2011-01-28

transputer_guy,

"When we cancelled Comcast phone and TV, they increased the internet charge to $70+ for the 20/4 service. Verizon internet only is also $70+ for an slower 15/5 FIOS service."

Your right, the unbundled prices are horrible:
http://www22.verizon.com/home/fios-fastest-internet/#plans
Internet alone at $70.

For another $10 they add TV service, and another $10 they add in phone. I'm sure it's the work of the guys in marketing, who figure customers will just opt for the bundle given how "cheap" they are. And they're probably right about that, even though it sucks for folks who just want one service.

Reply Parent Score: 2

RE: Comcast vs Verizon
by Casey99 on Thu 24th Jan 2013 18:43 in reply to "Comcast vs Verizon"
Casey99 Member since:
2011-07-14

Verizon FiOS typically runs faster than advertised however.

Reply Parent Score: 1