Storms Coming

Yeah, we are boned on net-neutrality. All the major ISPs have been signing paper work as quietly as possible behind closed doors for a while now. In the very near future, its likely we won't be paying for bandwidth, well be paying for the web like cable. The problem is the most basic package, whether its free or not like with tv, will probably be like 9 or 15 websites and you will be getting your access based on tier-packages, JUST like tv.

Imagine, 'basic' internet will just be something like, free youtube, msn, yahoo, facebook, your banks website and a few other groups who have a lot of market share. Once they go to this system of selling you access to only so many websites, you can forget about a lot of higher speed options available, the focus will go away from speed of an individual connection and to just making sure that "everyone in america can reach the internet" just like everyone can have basic broadcast tv.
 
reflex99 said:
Don't like it, start your own ISP.

Welcome to capitalism
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Your sir are missing the point. This is not a capitalism discussion. At it's most basic, this is a need for an addendum to the first amendment discussion.
 
Cpt. Kirk said:
Your sir are missing the point. This is not a capitalism discussion. At it's most basic, this is a need for an addendum to the first amendment discussion.
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They are a private corporation, they can do what they like.

You don't have to buy from them.
 
This isn't the first time Comcast has tried to charge people for nonsense.

2-3 years ago they made an article about charging people extra for certain websites that use above average bandwidth, like Youtube, Filefront, Google Maps, etc.

Besides, this type of ISP rules have been out for a while. Ever heard of Satellite internet? Hopefully you've never used it.
 
Lol its comcast... who cares what they do. Comcast = one of the worst internet providers in history.
 
Cacophonus said:
Lol its comcast... who cares what they do. Comcast = one of the worst internet providers in history.
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The problem is that they are one of the worst providers, but still successful. People are afraid that Comcast will use their undeserved wealth to screw the customer by bullying other companies into unfair deals. I agree they are terrible, but that doesn't mean they can't get worse. What net neutrality advocates are searching for is a legal means of barring Comcast from even attempting these schemes instead of hoping the free market will protect them.
 
reflex99 said:
They are a private corporation, they can do what they like.

You don't have to buy from them.
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Yeah, that's a good argument. Except for the major flaw in it. Most places, even metropolitan ones only have one option for broad band internet. It's either have internet or don't have internet. It comes down to a basic lesser of two evils choice.
And not true, while they are a private corporation, they cannot do whatever they like. They are subject to federal rules and regulations just like other companies. The problem is, the agencies(FCC) entrusted with creating and enforcing these regulations havn't quite gotten on the ball with the times. The matter at hand is that they need to hurry up and enact legislation before it's too late. And thankfully, in time for my response, they are:

http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/30/fcc-looking-into-comcast-netflix-blocking-threat-level-3-resp/
 
Cacophonus said:
Lol its comcast... who cares what they do. Comcast = one of the worst internet providers in history.
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Yeah who cares that they are the largest cable isp in America and own majority share in NBC and it's subsidiary networks, because they couldn't do anything in terms of stiff-arming Joe Q. Public....
 
Cpt. Kirk said:
Yeah who cares that they are the largest cable isp in America and own majority share in NBC and it's subsidiary networks, because they couldn't do anything in terms of stiff-arming Joe Q. Public....
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Exactly.

Comcast really isn't bad. It's been extremely fast and reliable for me. I think the majority of the customer support problems are the customers fault, or lack of technological intelligence. Which, in my opinion I think you should have if you're using a 20Mb/s connection and HDTV's.

It's sad the majority of HDTV owners still use basic cable with no HDMI or Component connections, because they don't understand how to actually use HD.
 
shadows5631 said:
Exactly.

Comcast really isn't bad. It's been extremely fast and reliable for me. I think the majority of the customer support problems are the customers fault, or lack of technological intelligence. Which, in my opinion I think you should have if you're using a 20Mb/s connection and HDTV's.

It's sad the majority of HDTV owners still use basic cable with no HDMI or Component connections, because they don't understand how to actually use HD.
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Yeah. My brother's girlfriend's grandma has like 50Mb/s. All she does is check her email. :O
 
reflex99 said:
Then move or start your own ISP.

Or move to some non-capitalist country that provides internet
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First, as to moving, from a common sense perspective, that is a ridiculous suggestion. Second, as to starting your own ISP, from an emerging market perspective, there are these things called barriers to entry. ISP's have one of the highest barriers to entry into the free market. It's right up there with gas companies and electric companies. It's getting to the point in America where the internet will be a necessary utilities just like the 2 aforementioned. This is where there is need for government regulators to step in and say enough is enough and thankfully they are finally intervening and taking the matter up. Just recently the FCC released a statement about net neutrality and they have added to their upcoming agenda to address the comcast/netflix issue, as well as net neutrality, ISP's, and censoring in general. Like I said before, I just hope it's not too little too late. And on a side note, serious topics deserve, serious, intelligent answers.
 
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