| Author |
Message |
BR
Guest
|
 Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:20 am Post subject:
U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
http://www.freepress.net/docs/broadband_report.pdf
And interesting report and
(http://www.freepress.net/press/release.php?id=86) press release even if
you have broadband |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
BR
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:20 am Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 17:04:36 -0400, ftran999 wrote:
| Quote: | Before I click on the link, let me guess. Another article lamenting
about the "digital divide"
Wow, I was right. I should start my own physic hotline.
|
That's part. The thing some broadbanders (and want to be) have to worry
about is bundling, and those "too good to be true" offers. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ftran999
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 12:20 am Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
"BR" <brodriguez@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.08.18.20.58.19.624047@comcast.net...
| Quote: | http://www.freepress.net/docs/broadband_report.pdf
And interesting report and
(http://www.freepress.net/press/release.php?id=86) press release even if
you have broadband
|
Before I click on the link, let me guess. Another article lamenting about
the "digital divide"
Wow, I was right. I should start my own physic hotline. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
L Alpert
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 5:51 am Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
ftran999 wrote:
| Quote: | "BR" <brodriguez@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:pan.2005.08.18.20.58.19.624047@comcast.net...
http://www.freepress.net/docs/broadband_report.pdf
And interesting report and
(http://www.freepress.net/press/release.php?id=86) press release
even if you have broadband
Before I click on the link, let me guess. Another article lamenting
about the "digital divide"
Wow, I was right. I should start my own physic hotline.
|
Some people just don't get it. There is an "analog" divide. Those that can
afford it will get it. That is what happens in a capitalistic society.
Broadband is not an American birthright. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ron Hunter
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:09 am Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
BR wrote:
| Quote: | http://www.freepress.net/docs/broadband_report.pdf
And interesting report and
(http://www.freepress.net/press/release.php?id=86) press release even if
you have broadband
|
The report fails to note the difference between area and population
density of the US and European and Asian nations. It is blatantly
unfair, and biased. It is vastly easier to provide infrastructure over
a few miles in a small country, like Switzerland than a large one like
the US or Canada. Also, in Europe, much of the telephone infrastructure
is relative new, while in many areas of the US, telephone service has
been available since the late 1870's, and many of the telephone lines
are getting near 100 years old! Very little European, Japanese, or
Korean infrastructure is over 50 years old. Failure to consider these
factors leads of incorrect, and misleading conclusions.
I have broadband, but have only ONE alternative to dialup, cable.
Fortunately the cable service here is better than average, but it is the
only viable alternative. If the government wants to encourage internet
use, then they can give telephone and cable companies (and power
companies) tax incentives to expand the availablity of broadband, rather
than regulating them out of existance.
--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ron Hunter
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 6:11 am Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
BR wrote:
| Quote: | On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 17:04:36 -0400, ftran999 wrote:
Before I click on the link, let me guess. Another article lamenting
about the "digital divide"
Wow, I was right. I should start my own physic hotline.
That's part. The thing some broadbanders (and want to be) have to worry
about is bundling, and those "too good to be true" offers.
You mean ads for '3 months of DSL service for $19.95'? When you check, |
you find you are outside their range limit, and why don't they tell in
the ads how much the charge is after 3 months? Sigh.
--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BR
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:23 am Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 20:09:42 -0500, Ron Hunter wrote:
| Quote: | It is vastly easier to provide infrastructure over a few miles in a
small country, like Switzerland than a large one like the US or Canada.
|
Well as someone noted elsewere. If it was purely a density issue? Then one
needs to explain those cities and suburbs that don't have broadband, but
do have the population.
| Quote: | Also, in Europe, much of the telephone infrastructure is relative new,
while in many areas of the US, telephone service has been available
since the late 1870's, and many of the telephone lines are getting near
100 years old!
|
Point noted. However as I'm certain you're aware DSL isn't the only way to
get broadband. And even with DSL advances are being made. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BR
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:27 am Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 20:11:29 -0500, Ron Hunter wrote:
| Quote: | You mean ads for '3 months of DSL service for $19.95'? When you check,
you find you are outside their range limit, and why don't they tell in
the ads how much the charge is after 3 months? Sigh.
|
The example near the end of the PDF uses SBC's $14.95 offer as an example.
The contract, the bundling with phone service, the termination fee. Things
that when taken into consideration make the offer less attractive. Plus
the less than upfrontness of it all. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
BR
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 7:39 am Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 17:51:35 -0700, L Alpert wrote:
| Quote: | Some people just don't get it. There is an "analog" divide. Those that
can afford it will get it. That is what happens in a capitalistic
society. Broadband is not an American birthright.
|
Well the issue isn't weither technology is a birthright (phones aren't).
But does the US overall need broadband to succeed and grow (roads,
airways, etc)? The second one is, is the present system in place doing an
adequate job of fulfilling the goal of growing broadband in the US without
leading to harmful effects to society? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ron Hunter
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:20 am Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
BR wrote:
| Quote: | On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 20:11:29 -0500, Ron Hunter wrote:
You mean ads for '3 months of DSL service for $19.95'? When you check,
you find you are outside their range limit, and why don't they tell in
the ads how much the charge is after 3 months? Sigh.
The example near the end of the PDF uses SBC's $14.95 offer as an example.
The contract, the bundling with phone service, the termination fee. Things
that when taken into consideration make the offer less attractive. Plus
the less than upfrontness of it all.
|
Not to mention cases like my neighbor who was told he could get DSL,
bought the 'self-install' kit ($200), and when he installed it, he found
it didn't work. Called support, and they said he was too far from the
office. He said he would pack up the kit and return it for a refund.
The said no refunds. He said, ok, see you in small claims court. Nice
was to do business.... He has cable now.
--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ron Hunter
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 8:20 am Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
BR wrote:
| Quote: | On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 20:09:42 -0500, Ron Hunter wrote:
It is vastly easier to provide infrastructure over a few miles in a
small country, like Switzerland than a large one like the US or Canada.
Well as someone noted elsewere. If it was purely a density issue? Then one
needs to explain those cities and suburbs that don't have broadband, but
do have the population.
Also, in Europe, much of the telephone infrastructure is relative new,
while in many areas of the US, telephone service has been available
since the late 1870's, and many of the telephone lines are getting near
100 years old!
Point noted. However as I'm certain you're aware DSL isn't the only way to
get broadband. And even with DSL advances are being made.
|
Currently, DSL and cable are about the only choices. Cable requires a
minimum density to make it viable economically. DSL suffers from
distance limitations. Powerline broadband offers hope for rural
customers, but is a few years from general availability.
--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ron Hunter
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:20 pm Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
David Ross wrote:
| Quote: | It is vastly easier to provide infrastructure over a few miles in a
small country, like Switzerland than a large one like the US or Canada.
Well as someone noted elsewere. If it was purely a density issue? Then
one
needs to explain those cities and suburbs that don't have broadband, but
do have the population.
Also, in Europe, much of the telephone infrastructure is relative new,
while in many areas of the US, telephone service has been available
since the late 1870's, and many of the telephone lines are getting near
100 years old!
Point noted. However as I'm certain you're aware DSL isn't the only
way to
get broadband. And even with DSL advances are being made.
There are huge tax, regulatory, and historical issues here. The US had a
great phone system in the 60s relative to the rest of the world. They
mostly had zilch. So they laid new wire in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. We
didn't need to then. Now we do. But now we no longer allow the Telcos to
just spend money and roll it into the rate structure like we used to. (I
can argue both sides of this one.) So now the Telcos have to KNOW the
new services will make the money back before they invest. And if you
think Europe isn't subsidized, you're nuts. And while just NOW it leads
to some things better, research the "great" minitel (not sure of the
name) that France gave everyone 20 - 30 years ago to leap ahead of the
rest of the world. Gov forces solutions can be great at times and a
total money pit at others.
|
Re: infrastructure age in the US.
I have lived in my current home for 38 years, and the telephone lines
haven't been changed, or added to, in that time. They are paper wrapped
single copper wires in a lead (yes) tube. Wind and rain plays havoc
with them.
To my mind, the best thing the phone companies can do to improve my life
is to put the phone book online, and save me from inundation in phone
books, and save a few million acres of trees in the bargain. We need
the oxygen!
--
Ron Hunter rphunter@charter.net |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
James Knott
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:20 pm Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
Ron Hunter wrote:
| Quote: | Currently, DSL and cable are about the only choices. Cable requires a
minimum density to make it viable economically. DSL suffers from
distance limitations. Powerline broadband offers hope for rural
customers, but is a few years from general availability.
|
Powerline broadband also has serious interference issues with licensed radio
services. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Tim Keating
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:20 pm Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
On Fri, 19 Aug 2005 02:54:31 -0500, Ron Hunter <rphunter@charter.net>
wrote:
| Quote: | BR wrote:
On Thu, 18 Aug 2005 20:09:42 -0500, Ron Hunter wrote:
It is vastly easier to provide infrastructure over a few miles in a
small country, like Switzerland than a large one like the US or Canada.
Well as someone noted elsewere. If it was purely a density issue? Then one
needs to explain those cities and suburbs that don't have broadband, but
do have the population.
|
snip...
| Quote: | Powerline broadband offers hope for rural
customers, but is a few years from general availability.
|
PB also suffers badly in low density deployments.
The only pratical solution for rural customers will probably be
some form of wireless. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
David Ross
Guest
|
| Posted:
Fri Aug 19, 2005 4:20 pm Post subject:
Re: U.S. Broadband Access Falling Behind |
|
|
| Quote: | It is vastly easier to provide infrastructure over a few miles in a
small country, like Switzerland than a large one like the US or Canada.
Well as someone noted elsewere. If it was purely a density issue? Then one
needs to explain those cities and suburbs that don't have broadband, but
do have the population.
Also, in Europe, much of the telephone infrastructure is relative new,
while in many areas of the US, telephone service has been available
since the late 1870's, and many of the telephone lines are getting near
100 years old!
Point noted. However as I'm certain you're aware DSL isn't the only way to
get broadband. And even with DSL advances are being made.
|
There are huge tax, regulatory, and historical issues here. The US had a
great phone system in the 60s relative to the rest of the world. They
mostly had zilch. So they laid new wire in the 60s, 70s, and 80s. We
didn't need to then. Now we do. But now we no longer allow the Telcos to
just spend money and roll it into the rate structure like we used to. (I
can argue both sides of this one.) So now the Telcos have to KNOW the
new services will make the money back before they invest. And if you
think Europe isn't subsidized, you're nuts. And while just NOW it leads
to some things better, research the "great" minitel (not sure of the
name) that France gave everyone 20 - 30 years ago to leap ahead of the
rest of the world. Gov forces solutions can be great at times and a
total money pit at others. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ
Memberlist
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in