Cable broad-band internet...why can't we have different pkgs
Saturday, September 10, 2005 by terpfan1980 | Discussion: Internet
In answering another question a fellow blogger posted (or at least, in making some suggestions in an answer), I was just cursing my limited choices (again) in hi-speed/broadband internet services.
Where I live, I'm left with basically no choice of providers. The phone lines are old and brittle, the distance to the CO (Central Office) is too far, and DSL is not an option. Satellite based internet -- at least two way satellite internet -- is an option, but it includes an inherent delay because of transmission times, and as such, it's useless if you want to play any online games, use it for VOIP services, or anything else that needs "real time." FIOS hasn't made it to where I live, and lord knows when, or if it will.
Verizon is advertising a wireless "hi-speed" option that would be an option I guess, but it's cost for the service is really no different than what I pay for cable internet through Comcast, and Comcast does deliver 4 - 5 megabit service for that price.
I really long for choice here. I'd like to get the type of prices a friend gets -- $29 - $39 a month for Verizon DSL. He combines with his phone service, gets a discount on the package, and enjoys speeds that really aren't that different than what I see. (Granted, if we ran some speed tests, or if I was a person that downloaded huge piles of files, I might see the difference in speeds, but I don't so I don't, and I'd rather save some money!!)
I saw news not long back that Comcast was going to up the speed again, apparently preferring to enter into a speed battle against Verizon. That would be all fine, well, and good, if I actually needed more speed.
Why is it that Comcast doesn't seem to get the little light bulb over their head(s) and come up with some plan that would offer say 2 megabit service for half the current price, 4 megabit for the current price, and (as hinted at in the article I read) a higher speed "premium" service at a higher price. Sort of like walking into Starbucks and having a choice between Tall (small), Grande (medium) and Venti (large) { don't get me started on Starbucks labelling of sizes, that is a rant for another day.... }
I really wish somebody at Comcast would figure this out and offer the type of options I'm desiring. I really don't need more speed. 2 megabit or faster is plenty fast. Give me some speed throttled service at that price, and we might get somewhere. Help save me money, and I might even spend it on other "options" (like Comcast's own VOIP services).
Come on Comcast, think of the possibilities (without me having to be concerned about whether some other provider ever strings their own cables on the wires, though I guess I can hold out hope that at some point down the road my power company will offer some form of broadband over power lines that might actually be a competitor to Comcast).
Where I live, I'm left with basically no choice of providers. The phone lines are old and brittle, the distance to the CO (Central Office) is too far, and DSL is not an option. Satellite based internet -- at least two way satellite internet -- is an option, but it includes an inherent delay because of transmission times, and as such, it's useless if you want to play any online games, use it for VOIP services, or anything else that needs "real time." FIOS hasn't made it to where I live, and lord knows when, or if it will.
Verizon is advertising a wireless "hi-speed" option that would be an option I guess, but it's cost for the service is really no different than what I pay for cable internet through Comcast, and Comcast does deliver 4 - 5 megabit service for that price.
I really long for choice here. I'd like to get the type of prices a friend gets -- $29 - $39 a month for Verizon DSL. He combines with his phone service, gets a discount on the package, and enjoys speeds that really aren't that different than what I see. (Granted, if we ran some speed tests, or if I was a person that downloaded huge piles of files, I might see the difference in speeds, but I don't so I don't, and I'd rather save some money!!)
I saw news not long back that Comcast was going to up the speed again, apparently preferring to enter into a speed battle against Verizon. That would be all fine, well, and good, if I actually needed more speed.
Why is it that Comcast doesn't seem to get the little light bulb over their head(s) and come up with some plan that would offer say 2 megabit service for half the current price, 4 megabit for the current price, and (as hinted at in the article I read) a higher speed "premium" service at a higher price. Sort of like walking into Starbucks and having a choice between Tall (small), Grande (medium) and Venti (large) { don't get me started on Starbucks labelling of sizes, that is a rant for another day.... }
I really wish somebody at Comcast would figure this out and offer the type of options I'm desiring. I really don't need more speed. 2 megabit or faster is plenty fast. Give me some speed throttled service at that price, and we might get somewhere. Help save me money, and I might even spend it on other "options" (like Comcast's own VOIP services).
Come on Comcast, think of the possibilities (without me having to be concerned about whether some other provider ever strings their own cables on the wires, though I guess I can hold out hope that at some point down the road my power company will offer some form of broadband over power lines that might actually be a competitor to Comcast).
kona0197
Reply #2 Sunday, September 11, 2005 12:32 AM
Reply #2 Sunday, September 11, 2005 12:32 AM
I have Comcast cable service and am paying $42 a month for 4 megabit speeds. I have no complaints other than Comcast's Digital TV service is a bit high priced. 
terpfan1980
Reply #3 Sunday, September 11, 2005 9:31 AM
Reply #3 Sunday, September 11, 2005 9:31 AM
Kona - I pay pretty much the same, but it's because I'm getting a discount for having "cable TV" in addition to the hi-speed package. I don't need/want the cable TV portion, but I pay the same with it, and without. Comcast gets to say that I'm a customer for their TV service, even though I never use it.
I'd rather pay that $42 without the extra $$ for the cable TV service I don't need, but I don't have a choice.
esg-designs - your argument might be close to correct, then again, why is that Verizon (as an example) can offer a speed-throttled service for $14.99 a month?? That may be a "come on" deal, designed to lure customers in, but they offer at least 6 months of service at that price. Their next higher service level is around $29 a month, and again, it's every bit as fast as what I need (around 2 megabits). They offer higher levels for more money, and again, that is exactly what I'd like to see Comcast do. Offer various speeds for various amounts of money. Heck, meter the amount of data if they want, and charge me more based on using more. (Though I haven't paid much attention to the amount of data that moves through my connection in the course of a month, I suppose I should pay more attention to those stats).
I'd rather pay that $42 without the extra $$ for the cable TV service I don't need, but I don't have a choice.
esg-designs - your argument might be close to correct, then again, why is that Verizon (as an example) can offer a speed-throttled service for $14.99 a month?? That may be a "come on" deal, designed to lure customers in, but they offer at least 6 months of service at that price. Their next higher service level is around $29 a month, and again, it's every bit as fast as what I need (around 2 megabits). They offer higher levels for more money, and again, that is exactly what I'd like to see Comcast do. Offer various speeds for various amounts of money. Heck, meter the amount of data if they want, and charge me more based on using more. (Though I haven't paid much attention to the amount of data that moves through my connection in the course of a month, I suppose I should pay more attention to those stats).
glowdarkly
Reply #4 Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:35 PM
Reply #4 Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:35 PM
The phone company here (SBC) is going to "war" against the Time Warner cable outfit, whose broadband runs $46.95. The DSL from the phone company is being sold for as little as $14.95 or $19.95 depending on when you get in, and thats for a years guaranteed. I cant notice much difference in speed at all. I can download a browser in a minute and thats plenty fast for me.
terpfan1980
Reply #5 Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:44 PM
Nice that you have the options glowdark. I wish I had the same. Verizon is advertising the options like crazy, but only in select service areas, blah blah blah.
Ages ago I checked into possibilities of DSL, and I'm some 15,000+ feet too far from the C.O. (according to technicians measurements). I had hoped that Verizon would get off their duffs and upgrade whatever infrastructure they would need to so that myself and others in my area could get their service, but so far they've just ignored us and left us at the mercy of Comcast.
Again, I don't want to knock Comcast's product/service. They've done pretty well by me, but I would like options, and I'd like to pay less money over Comcast. If I wasn't forced to pay for the cable TV product to get the discounted price, the discounted price would be fine. But because I have to pay for cable TV service which I never use, I'm nailed for more than $200 a year in extra fees. That does make me mad. I could do a lot with that money if I had it for myself, even if I simply choose to waste the money (or perhaps gave it away in donations to the Red Cross).
Reply #5 Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:44 PM
| The phone company here (SBC) is going to "war" against the Time Warner cable outfit, whose broadband runs $46.95. The DSL from the phone company is being sold for as little as $14.95 or $19.95 depending on when you get in, and thats for a years guaranteed. I cant notice much difference in speed at all. I can download a browser in a minute and thats plenty fast for me. |
Nice that you have the options glowdark. I wish I had the same. Verizon is advertising the options like crazy, but only in select service areas, blah blah blah.
Ages ago I checked into possibilities of DSL, and I'm some 15,000+ feet too far from the C.O. (according to technicians measurements). I had hoped that Verizon would get off their duffs and upgrade whatever infrastructure they would need to so that myself and others in my area could get their service, but so far they've just ignored us and left us at the mercy of Comcast.
Again, I don't want to knock Comcast's product/service. They've done pretty well by me, but I would like options, and I'd like to pay less money over Comcast. If I wasn't forced to pay for the cable TV product to get the discounted price, the discounted price would be fine. But because I have to pay for cable TV service which I never use, I'm nailed for more than $200 a year in extra fees. That does make me mad. I could do a lot with that money if I had it for myself, even if I simply choose to waste the money (or perhaps gave it away in donations to the Red Cross).
bakerstreet
Reply #6 Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:54 PM
Reply #6 Sunday, September 11, 2005 4:54 PM
Bank on less choice now that DSL has become deregulated and the phone companies don't have to share their lines. My main problem with Cable is that they tout these huge speeds, and then limit how much you can download a month.
I could pay for 4 megs a second, but I'm limited to 2 gigs a month? At that speed you could burn 2 gigs in a few hours. I've downloaded that much in a two or three days at 1.5. The only reason speeds like that are of any use is downloads, which is exactly what they don't want you to use them for.
You can't tell the difference between 1.5 and 4 megs per second in terms of a normal web page loading. Cable could offer me 1 GIG a second and I wouldn't take it. What good would it be when my month would only last a few minutes...
I could pay for 4 megs a second, but I'm limited to 2 gigs a month? At that speed you could burn 2 gigs in a few hours. I've downloaded that much in a two or three days at 1.5. The only reason speeds like that are of any use is downloads, which is exactly what they don't want you to use them for.
You can't tell the difference between 1.5 and 4 megs per second in terms of a normal web page loading. Cable could offer me 1 GIG a second and I wouldn't take it. What good would it be when my month would only last a few minutes...
_02
Reply #7 Sunday, September 11, 2005 9:54 PM
I have had Road Runner high speed cable internet for almost 2 years now. When it was first started we had 3mbs. Now we have 5. It was a free upgrade. I can assure you there is a difference between the 2 speeds in both surfing and download time. I can download a 300 mb prog in about 4 minutes, and I have never been limited in my downloads. Road Runner also offers 7mbps for a higher monthly cost. I pay $40 for my 5mbps speed with no limitations on anything. I would never consider anything else.
Reply #7 Sunday, September 11, 2005 9:54 PM
| You can't tell the difference between 1.5 and 4 megs per second in terms of a normal web page loading. Cable could offer me 1 GIG a second and I wouldn't take it. What good would it be when my month would only last a few minutes... |
I have had Road Runner high speed cable internet for almost 2 years now. When it was first started we had 3mbs. Now we have 5. It was a free upgrade. I can assure you there is a difference between the 2 speeds in both surfing and download time. I can download a 300 mb prog in about 4 minutes, and I have never been limited in my downloads. Road Runner also offers 7mbps for a higher monthly cost. I pay $40 for my 5mbps speed with no limitations on anything. I would never consider anything else.
kona0197
Reply #8 Sunday, September 11, 2005 9:57 PM
I don't have a limit.
Reply #8 Sunday, September 11, 2005 9:57 PM
| Bank on less choice now that DSL has become deregulated and the phone companies don't have to share their lines. My main problem with Cable is that they tout these huge speeds, and then limit how much you can download a month. |
I don't have a limit.
wombatDK
Reply #9 Monday, September 12, 2005 12:52 AM
Reply #9 Monday, September 12, 2005 12:52 AM
No traffic limit here either using Comcast - but the low uplink speeds really hurt me as I work from home on occasion. I'd happily sacrifice a meg or two downlink, if I could just get a meg or maybe two uplink. Right now my measurements show 384kBit uplink and ~5MBit down. Something like 1MBit up and 3MBit down would be perfectly acceptable.
Oh, and for business use it would be really great if Comcast offered decent static IP support. One static IP, and you have to use the "pro" internet access = $120... come on. Commercial customers usually use less bandwidth than home users. And they often would like more than one IP, and more synchronous speeds
Anyway, wholeheartedly agreed - more options needed.
Oh, and for business use it would be really great if Comcast offered decent static IP support. One static IP, and you have to use the "pro" internet access = $120... come on. Commercial customers usually use less bandwidth than home users. And they often would like more than one IP, and more synchronous speeds
Anyway, wholeheartedly agreed - more options needed.
JamMeister33
Reply #10 Monday, September 12, 2005 1:01 AM
MY main problem is that Comcast doesn't live up to their promises and couldn't care less that their customers are dissatisfied with their shoddy service.
Reply #10 Monday, September 12, 2005 1:01 AM
| My main problem with Cable is that they tout these huge speeds, and then limit how much you can download a month. |
MY main problem is that Comcast doesn't live up to their promises and couldn't care less that their customers are dissatisfied with their shoddy service.
Dr Guy
Reply #12 Monday, September 12, 2005 11:18 AM
Reply #12 Monday, September 12, 2005 11:18 AM
YOu got Comcast too. Dont expect service or prices from them. I have found they are not great on any of them. But unlike Phones, you dont have a choice. Just a single provider for a particular area.
kona0197
Reply #13 Monday, September 12, 2005 4:53 PM
Reply #13 Monday, September 12, 2005 4:53 PM
As I said before I have had no problems with my service or cstomer support.
Dr Guy
Reply #14 Monday, September 12, 2005 5:06 PM
Well, that is one.
Reply #14 Monday, September 12, 2005 5:06 PM
| As I said before I have had no problems with my service or cstomer support. |
Well, that is one.
reindeer057
Reply #15 Monday, September 12, 2005 7:45 PM
Agreed, its acually been better then good here.
Reply #15 Monday, September 12, 2005 7:45 PM
| As I said before I have had no problems with my service or cstomer support. |
Agreed, its acually been better then good here.
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Reply #1 Saturday, September 10, 2005 11:13 PM