Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

High-speed Internet is going to cost more; you can blame the FCC
SJ Mercury News ^ | 2/21/03 | Opinion

Posted on 02/21/2003 9:00:39 AM PST by NormsRevenge

Edited on 04/13/2004 3:30:24 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

IN the most important telecommunications ruling in years, a three member majority of the Federal Communications Commission made a sort of Sophie's Choice this week.

To the delight of long-distance phone companies and to the dismay of the Baby Bells, it voted to largely preserve rules that promote local telephone competition; but it sold out budding rivals to the Bells in the fast growing market for high-speed Internet service, virtually ensuring fewer choices and higher prices.


(Excerpt) Read more at bayarea.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections; Technical
KEYWORDS: blamethefcc; costmore; highspeed; internet
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-33 next last

1 posted on 02/21/2003 9:00:39 AM PST by NormsRevenge
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
George Gilder has consistently supported leaving things as they are---and he is a huge free market advocate. Does anyone fully understand his position on this . . . that leaving the system intact will get us to freer competition, faster?
2 posted on 02/21/2003 9:03:56 AM PST by LS
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
It just goes without saying...promote more and more broadband applications, inundate the public with the "need?" for braodband, ie download media faster, develop faster pcs....jack-up the price/monopoly for bb service.
3 posted on 02/21/2003 9:08:09 AM PST by stuartcr
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
I'll have to admit that the pricing of high speed internet is discouraging. I use cable internet, and some friends of ours use DSL. They are both priced about the same 39.95 plus tax. per month. I would have thought that over time, just like what happened to dial-ups...it would go down to at least in the low to mid $20's by now. I don't ever plan to quit using high speed internet (once you use it, you'll never want to use dial-up again), however I hope for some relief in the future....
4 posted on 02/21/2003 9:09:11 AM PST by Maringa
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
There are no bargains in broadband. Either pay the Bells for DSL at $50 a month, or pay a 3rd party $50; $40 to the Bells and $10 to the 3rd party. Cable is even worse.

I don't see a way around this since the companies own the lines. They can allow others to use them, but in the end they still own them.
5 posted on 02/21/2003 9:11:06 AM PST by Not_Who_U_Think
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
More Info
6 posted on 02/21/2003 9:11:57 AM PST by bmwcyle (Semper Gumby - Always Flexable)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
I'd imagine the satellite service providers would benefit if they can develop the technology needed to make it function as well as DSL/Cable. My understanding, although I've no first hand experience with satellite internet service, is that it isn't as good at this point.
7 posted on 02/21/2003 9:13:44 AM PST by caltrop
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bmwcyle
Thanks for the link. BroadbandReports.com homepage
8 posted on 02/21/2003 9:16:54 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: Not_Who_U_Think
"Cable is even worse."

I use COX cable and my broadband costs me $34.95/month total!
9 posted on 02/21/2003 9:18:53 AM PST by dalereed
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
How can anyone write a supposedly intelligent commentary on telecommunications and still use the term "long distance"....It doesn't exist any more...yet regulatory agencies still act like that's the key issue....and that's the problem...regulation of the Telcos is still done by the various states....but it's a nationwide, nay, international industry...
10 posted on 02/21/2003 9:24:45 AM PST by ken5050
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dalereed
Yeah, you may pay a bit less, but wait until all your neighbors are online at the same time. It sucks.
11 posted on 02/21/2003 9:24:54 AM PST by TommyDale
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: dalereed
Lucky you - $34.95 is a steal! In Western NY, Time Warner is charging $39.95 just for broadband. Add another $46 for analog CATV - without any premium movie channels.
12 posted on 02/21/2003 9:39:41 AM PST by Made In The USA (Where is the outrage?!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: caltrop
The problem with satellite is that the current systems use GEO (geosynchronous earth orbit) satellites, at an altitude of 22,241 mi. This causes absurd latency, making satellite useless for any kind of interactive internet applications.

Alcatel is still planning a ~80 bird constellation of LEO (low earth orbit) satellites at an altitude of around 800 mi. for their proposed SkyBridge service. If it ever comes into being, it could definitely be competitive with current broadband.

13 posted on 02/21/2003 9:48:38 AM PST by B Knotts
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: B Knotts
Thanks for the information. I'd love to see satellite service give the cable and phone companies some real competition.
14 posted on 02/21/2003 9:56:35 AM PST by caltrop
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: caltrop
I have satellite tv and it goes out during heavy rain/snow storms. This would play havoc with the computer connection.

I would not recommend satellite over cable after experiencing this.
15 posted on 02/21/2003 10:23:05 AM PST by justshutupandtakeit (Islame has had its day.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: nutmeg
bump
16 posted on 02/21/2003 10:23:49 AM PST by nutmeg
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: NormsRevenge
bump
17 posted on 02/21/2003 10:25:39 AM PST by alrea
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Made In The USA
Hah!I laugh in your cable companies general direction.
I pay 80 bucks a month for EVERY analog and digital channel
and it also includes my high speed connection : )
Not that I'd rub it in or anything....
Check into packages that are not advertised by your cable company.
18 posted on 02/21/2003 10:30:03 AM PST by quack
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: quack
We have lived in my house for almost 18 years. the first few years we didn;t have cable at all.

In the late 80s, it arrived. (Heritage was the cable company's name)

In the mid-90s, the cable company got sold to TCI and the cable systems were not upgraded to anything resembling what many communities offered.

Around 2000 or so, AT&T bought the system, and didn't do much except bank the money and keep the boat afloat.

Recently, AT&T Broadband sold its cable group ,etc to ComCast. In the last 2 months and most recently the last 2 weeks, there is unprecedented activity in my general neighborhood, and with any luck at all, we may have a fiber optic connection by year's end or by early next year.

I will be more then happy to pony up for enhanced services if and when it gets here.

But , I agree, it does pay to shop around.

19 posted on 02/21/2003 10:38:58 AM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: quack
So, tell us - Who's your provider?
20 posted on 02/21/2003 10:50:00 AM PST by eleni121
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-33 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson