Other developed countries pulling way ahead of us in broadband capacity

[eridani]

http://www.commondreams.org/views/2015/07/17/when-talking-about-us-broadband-dont-say-i-word

Put in simpler terms, people in these three American cities would have to give Verizon nearly 10 times as much for half the speed available to residents of Seoul.

The spiraling cost of super-fast services isn’t an issue for FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly. To O’Rielly and his broadband-industry allies, access to high-speed Internet services isn’t necessary for life in America.

“People do a disservice by overstating [the Internet’s] relevancy or stature in people’s lives,” he told an audience at an industry-funded event in Washington. “People can and do live without Internet access, and many lead very successful lives.”

According to O’Rielly, Internet access isn’t an essential utility like water or electricity, but a product to be priced as high as the phone and cable monopolies dictate. And high-speed Internet services should be considered luxury items — like Rolex watches or Birkin handbags — that are offered as privileges for the few who can afford them.

<snip>

And this matters. According to a 2012 ITU study, expanding access to affordable broadband services has “considerable positive spill-over effects on the economy,” both in terms of fostering GDP growth and creating employment in the countries studied. This finding is bolstered by additional studies conducted by McKinsey & Company, the World Bank and the Brookings Institute.

That economic growth is in our country’s best interests should be a no-brainer. But the interests of cable and telecom giants don’t usually align with what’s good for the rest of us. Executives at companies like AT&T, Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Verizon care only about dominating the marketplace and maximizing profits for their shareholders.

[NBachers]

1. Michael O'Tooley

[Doctor_J]

2. The telecommunications companies own most of our representatives

I wonder if TPP will allow them to charge high prices for shitty service everywhere.

[Travis_0004]

3. I always wonder what effect population density plays in this

South korea-1228 per sq mile

US-84 per sq mile.

I'm sure it cost a lot more in the US to maintain the lines since there is so much more.

[hobbit709]

4. Population density in American cities is above 10,000 per sq mile.

And you STILL get shitty speeds.

[bemildred]

6. Our service sucks so they can charge us for better service.

The price you pay has very little to do with costs and very much to do with marketing efforts to get the most possible money out of you right now.

[bemildred]

5. Scarcity driven free market economies are going to be left behind.

[True Blue American]

7. Cable

At this time I had to switch to DSL because the Cable company had gouged us dry. We have no alternative here. I love Satellite and the DVR, but this is not the price we were given or the stations.

Many cities have set up their own Broadband. I see where the companies are going to provide High Speed cable to poor areas free. What about the Middle Class who are paying through the nose?

One Columnist who helps people find the best price has said to not sign any contracts on your Cell Phone. Prices are dropping like a stone on Cell Phones. With new additions to the cell phone service. I do not feel as if I can name names here.

Monopoly is the name of the game. Broadband is becoming obsolete so they are gouging while they can.

[ananda]

8. Hardly surprising considering the price for broadband here.

We are SO gouged.

[True Blue American]

9. Email White House

We all need to flood the White House with Emails about Michael Toomey and how we are being gouged by not just the Cable companies, but Digital Phone Service and slow acting DSL.

My one Email will not even be read,but hundreds will be noticed. Call if you wish,or write.

The addresses are all on Google. That is one of the companies that just came out with low priced Cell Service.