Why U.S. Broadband is So Slow
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Why U.S. Broadband is So Slow
1–10 of 70 posts
Re: Why U.S. Broadband is So Slow
#2Having just moved (and thus done my shopping for a new internet connection), I found it pretty galling that I was pretty much expected to either get a $30 land line or a $50 cable-TV package if I wanted to get internet. Technically I didn't need to get the bundle, but they didn't even list prices for an internet-only connection.
I have line-of-sight to our local water tower, though, so I was able to get a wireless internet connection and bypass everyone else. It's not super-high-speed, but I have 2.5 down and 1.5 up, and that's not too bad... and I have the moral satisfaction of not paying anything at all to either the cable companies or the telcos.
Re: Why U.S. Broadband is So Slow
#3The conclusions are interesting, although I think they give government intervention way too much credit. If other product lines are any indication, people can become pretty content pretty quickly; they may not demand more even if they might achieve it. I suppose life is just too short and people move on to more pressing concerns. If tomorrow all TVs in the world stopped working and shows could only be watched online, I think customers' attentions would shift and demand for high speed would see a new life. That's just the way these things work.
Incidentally, I hate the use of the term "Republican led FCC" in this article when "FCC" would have sufficed. I'm no Republican, but these kinds of loaded phrases invite ad hominem arguments. Readers should be able to learn about the actions of an organization such as the FCC and judge them as good or bad based on relevant facts.
Re: Why U.S. Broadband is So Slow
#4Having just moved (and thus done my shopping for a new internet connection), I found it pretty galling that I was pretty much expected to either get a $30 land line or a $50 cable-TV package if I wanted to get internet. Technically I didn't need to get the bundle, but they didn't even list prices for an internet-only connection. I have line-of-sight to our local water tower, though, so I was able to get a wireless in…
Telco's don't usually advertise "naked DSL." If you search hard enough it's out there.
Re: Why U.S. Broadband is So Slow
#5The conclusions are interesting, although I think they give government intervention way too much credit. If other product lines are any indication, people can become pretty content pretty quickly; they may not demand more even if they might achieve it. I suppose life is just too short and people move on to more pressing concerns. If tomorrow all TVs in the world stopped working and shows could only be watched online,…
Bait taken. What exactly has the FCC done recently (seeing as how it's a gov't agency) to protect the interest of consumers?
Re: Why U.S. Broadband is So Slow
#6Having just moved (and thus done my shopping for a new internet connection), I found it pretty galling that I was pretty much expected to either get a $30 land line or a $50 cable-TV package if I wanted to get internet. Technically I didn't need to get the bundle, but they didn't even list prices for an internet-only connection. I have line-of-sight to our local water tower, though, so I was able to get a wireless in…
Hey, as a WISP employee myself, thanks. It is really frustrating sometimes that potential customers have been trained that the duopoly the article mentioned is reality.
In truth, there is a vibrant, resourceful, and outspoken group of entrepreneurs out to take all of the incumbents marbles. But, like the article says, we have to fight at every turn for access that telco's and cable co's take for granted.
Re: Why U.S. Broadband is So Slow
#7The last line stood out to me.
> ... passing by along the way the idle fiber infrastructure that the FCC set aside nearly a decade ago.
Can anyone elaborate on what exactly they mean? Is this dark fiber sitting around somewhere? Did the FCC sanction the deployment and private companies built it out (and then ignored it) or was government money spent to lay the wires?
Re: Why U.S. Broadband is So Slow
#8The conclusions are interesting, although I think they give government intervention way too much credit. If other product lines are any indication, people can become pretty content pretty quickly; they may not demand more even if they might achieve it. I suppose life is just too short and people move on to more pressing concerns. If tomorrow all TVs in the world stopped working and shows could only be watched online,…
Bait taken. What exactly has the FCC done recently (seeing as how it's a gov't agency) to protect the interest of consumers?
I might even strike the "recently" from that question. (I'm not being facetious)
Re: Why U.S. Broadband is So Slow
#9Having just moved (and thus done my shopping for a new internet connection), I found it pretty galling that I was pretty much expected to either get a $30 land line or a $50 cable-TV package if I wanted to get internet. Technically I didn't need to get the bundle, but they didn't even list prices for an internet-only connection. I have line-of-sight to our local water tower, though, so I was able to get a wireless in…
Telco's don't usually advertise "naked DSL." If you search hard enough it's out there.
Same goes for cable companies here in the states. For example Comcast you can buy your own modem then pay $42 a month for Internet when u subscribe to local cable channels for additional $15. You can also just subscribe to Internet for $60 sans local cable.
Further if you live in apartment complex an open wifi access point is the cheapest!
Re: Why U.S. Broadband is So Slow
#10Seriously? Move to China, then we'll talk about slow broadband...