Mashable - The Social Media Guide - Latest Comments in Is US Internet Access Being Marginalized?

Re: Is US Internet Access Being Marginalized?

gregorylent — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 13:05:14 -0000

thanks for writing this ... apart from you, and the economist at the beginning of 2008, no one writes on this .. very few, anyway .. especially in silicon valley

americs is so weird sometimes .. but don't say that outloud

Re: Is US Internet Access Being Marginalized?

Chris McCarley — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:27:43 -0000

Could US broadband access be better? Yes, but I find a number of holes or at least questions in this.
- The chart doesn't address a number of factors: how many don't have broadband, is business access counted (I find it hard to believe the *average* home user in Japan has 60Mbps), geography.
- The fact that many of those countries could geographically fit in one small state of the US is a factor on rollout.
- I'm fairly sure there are companies in Europe doing or considering bandwidth throttling and packet inspection.
- Saying companies make billions has little meaning. There are supposed to make revenue (and earnings for shareholders). Are they out of line? Are they expanding service and penetration?

Re: Is US Internet Access Being Marginalized?

Nicki B. — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:57:41 -0000

My advice to the production companies - find a way to profit from what your viewers/users want! Filing lawsuits and violating users' privacy only further adds to your own demise, as your customers will no longer have any faith or trust in you. Profit off of the demand by molding to your users, not by forcing them to mold to your archaic ways.

Re: Is US Internet Access Being Marginalized?

Guest — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:20:45 -0000

Steven Hodson offers a thorough analysis to the problem of limited access to Internet/Broadband services.

I thought I had read previously somewhere else that the demand for broadband was declining. In order to remain competitive, some companies may be bundling their services with "value added services" which is fine but presents a problem when there is a focus on services so expensive that the average user can not afford those services. Access needs to be a priority.

As an example of an ISP assuming that I could afford an additional "value added service" I recently received a notice: "We are writing to confirm that the Static IP address provided with your DSL account will be cancelled July 31, 2008." My ISP wants to charge me an additional $15 per month on top of the $40 per month I currently pay for DSL - I can't afford that.