Freedom to look at the web

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January 27th, 2018 at 8:51:31 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
My cable company has a table of prices on their website showing introductory rates for six different cable speeds with enough clauses to make it clear that these are 'teaser" rates for new customers during their first year,

*All prices exclude taxes, surcharges, fees and equipment. At the end of your promotional period, standard rates apply.
$19.99 per mo.* 10 Mbps Internet 12 Month Pricing
$29.99 per mo.* 25 Mbps Internet 12 Month Pricing
$39.99 per mo.* 50 Mbps Internet 12 Month Pricing
$49.99 per mo.* 155 Mbps Internet 12 Month Pricing
$54.99 per mo.* 330 Mbps Internet 12 Month Pricing
$64.99 per mo.* 1000 Mbps Internet 12 Month Pricing

As you know, the standard operating procedure for cable companies is to increase their prices for older customers. This practice naturally leading to a lot of annoyance plus customers switching from company to company to keep the "teaser" rates.

To reduce churn cable companies say that if you drop service you can't reinstate it to after a grace period of 2-3 month. Another tactic is to give free telephone service or email service as people are less likely to switch services if they have given out a phone number or email to friends or business contacts. A third tactic is to give away some simple thing (like virus protection software).

But this new tactic that began this month seems particularly unethical. Navigation from the main web page to the web page with the "teaser rates" has been blocked from people who already have a cable account.

It's one thing to show you information and say it only applies to "new customers". It is another thing to control what your browser can do
January 27th, 2018 at 8:58:49 AM permalink
terapined
Member since: Aug 6, 2014
Threads: 73
Posts: 11786
Nice thing about working from home
I don't pay for internet, the company does
I have to imagine my company gets a good deal since they are probably bundling all employees to negotiate a discount.
Sometimes we live no particular way but our own - Grateful Dead "Eyes of the World"
January 27th, 2018 at 10:41:38 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: terapined
I don't pay for internet, the company does


RCN charges $75 for gigabit internet plus telephone. There is probably $15 in taxes plus $15 modem rental if you don't want to plunk down $180 to buy a modem.

But even so, that is very inexpensive to outfit an employee compared to getting them an office.
January 27th, 2018 at 10:54:50 AM permalink
Fleastiff
Member since: Oct 27, 2012
Threads: 62
Posts: 7831
Perhaps become your own ISP? Bypass cable completely?
January 27th, 2018 at 11:33:53 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: Fleastiff
Perhaps become your own ISP? Bypass cable completely?


Starry (starry.com) is offering 200 Mbps internet for $50 a month with no cable. But it will take a while to roll-out.



You need to stick a receiver out your window. But I get the impression it will only work in apartments (at least initially). Plus it will take years to roll out over the whole country.

January 27th, 2018 at 2:59:37 PM permalink
AZDuffman
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 135
Posts: 18136
Quote: Fleastiff
Perhaps become your own ISP? Bypass cable completely?


I would really like to do this in my or some other smaller town.
The President is a fink.
January 28th, 2018 at 12:08:43 AM permalink
Pacomartin
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 1068
Posts: 12569
Quote: AZDuffman
I would really like to do this in my or some other smaller town.


The so called "fixed wireless" could theoretically provide competition to a region that is already overlaid with cable. Unlike cellular, broadcast towers could be only 18-20 feet above the ground, but they could only broadcast over 800 meter circle. The customer premise equipment would be totally wireless.

January 28th, 2018 at 10:20:29 AM permalink
kenarman
Member since: Oct 24, 2012
Threads: 14
Posts: 4470
In the rural area I live many people don't have access to any wired internet option. Most have several options though: satellite, an independent ISP with towers about the height and range of cell towers, one or two cell providers who provide service with a cell connected internet modem. The options are all somewhat limited on speed and quite expensive if you want to start streaming movies but doable for normal use.
"but if you make yourselves sheep, the wolves will eat you." Benjamin Franklin