Sanders, Warren Want Probe Into 'Ridiculous' Cable, Internet Prices

[HomerRamone]

http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/247497-sanders-warren-want-probe-on-ridiculous-cable-internet-prices

The two, joined by Sens. Ed Markey (D-Mass) and Al Franken (D-Minn.), sent a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler suggesting that because of limited options for consumers companies are able "to charge ridiculous prices and add hidden fees."...

The FCC declined to comment on the letter.

The issue of the FCC’s authority over Internet pricing is contentious. The business community and conservative lawmakers have said they think that the commission’s new net neutrality rules open the door to rate regulation. They say that by regulating broadband providers like utilities, the FCC can now seek approval over how much companies charge consumers for Internet access.

Wheeler has insisted that won’t be the case.

"Broadband providers will be able to adjust retail rates without Commission approval and without having to wait even a minute," the FCC said in a fact sheet about the net neutrality order.

[bemildred]

1. Totally. What a racket cable TV and internet is. nt

[Baitball Blogger]

2. So much better to see a politician become a consumer advocate,

than a consumer advocate becoming a politician.

[Man of Distinction]

3. I resell Internet services to condos and apartments

I'm a small-time boutique Internet provider, mainly reselling high speed Internet from Comcast business to units that wants it at $40/month for 150mb pipeline which is more than adequate for anyone, including hardcore gamers in the concentrated area in condos

But for apartment complexes I provide multiple feeds, but resell it at $40/month. My prices hadn't changed since 2007, when I started, up until last January, and it was a $10 increase because of the cost increase on THEIR side. It was absorbed really quick and since the customers were still paying very low prices compared to what they could be paying Comcast or Centurylink for that feed.

Yeah, Comcast and Centurylink are stealing my business.

[Historic NY]

4. Look at Congress and see who is in bed with the cable interests.

[Marrah_G]

5. Good- what they charge is ridiculous

[libdem4life]

6. There they go getting all "socialist" on us. Capitalism means you can get what you can get.

Wonder if they think some of the cable companies are too-big to fail/too big to exist? Hmmm Oh, those nasty, irrelevant regulations the Republicans love to hate...here's why.

[OilemFirchen]

9. No.

The "socialist" (and best) approach would be to establish broadband as a public utility. That would lower the cost and ultimately eliminate the need for the outdated technologies of cable and satellite.

This requested probe is just nibbling around the edges.

[libdem4life]

11. To be sure...there was a bit of sarcasm there. After getting my 2-year...thanks

for sticking with us...now your bill is double...I'm all for cable for the people. Send Comcast off to the Netherworld.

[volstork]

7. Listed just above this post in "trending"

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/Top-Comcast-Lobbyist-Hosting-Hillary-Clinton-Fundraiser-134215

[George II]

8. How coincidental.....this came out yesterday and then it just so happens that shortly thereafter...

...an anti-Hillary post about a THREE WEEK old article criticizing Comcast hosting a Clinton fundraiser shows up!

As the church lady used to say, "how conveeeenient"!

[LiberalLovinLug]

10. bizzaro

"The business community and conservative lawmakers have said they think that the commission’s new net neutrality rules open the door to rate regulation."

And this is a bad thing? And Wheeler is scrambling to deny and assure otherwise?

Seriously, do these Washington players inside their bubble know we can see in?

[Initech]

12. Can they also go after cell phone contracts while they're at itl?

Really we need to catch up with the rest of the world in terms of cell phone data access. We should have phones with dual SIM card access and be allowed to have better freedom in choosing providers.

[hifiguy]

13. It is thievery on most places.

Minneapolis has a publicly controlled internet network and it is far cheaper than any option. More cities and states should follow our example.

[shanti]

14. kick

as if there weren't plenty of things about bernie and liz that i love, there's this! cable and internet is way way out of control. i'm paying comcrap almost $80 a month for internet and wish i had another option, but they have a monopoly here....

#feelthebern

[nc4bo]

15. Sleazy cable companies! I have Charter.

$30 a month sounds like a great price for relatively high speed internet 60 Mbps/4 Mbps but in order to get that price, you'll have to subscribe for 12 month bundle of at least 2 services. Or internet only for $40 per month for 12 months. Be sure to mark the calendar so you'll remember when that contract ends or there WILL be pain in your wallet as you will not get a warning from the cable company. SURPRISE in your bill! Internet only service was typically $60 per month no contract and that's probably what it will revert to if you forget your end date. That's high to me anyway.

Everyone should be able to get and afford internet access. It's 2015 ffs.

I guess it's not as bad as some folks though. We do have a choice between DSL and cable.

Got ya coming and going yall. Coming and going.

If regulating them helps and net neutrality is preserved, I'm all in.