FCC to review report that Cable Companies don't have enough competition

[daveshel]

You'd have to be crazy to expect more regulation from the FCC during a republican administration.

Since the Reagan years, we have lost the Fairness Doctrine, the Rule of 7s (that protected us from a high concentration of media ownership like we have now) and any meaningful competition. So we get escalating rates and crappy service.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: daveshel
You'd have to be crazy to expect more regulation from the FCC during a republican administration.

Since the Reagan years, we have lost the Fairness Doctrine, the Rule of 7s (that protected us from a high concentration of media ownership like we have now) and any meaningful competition. So we get escalating rates and crappy service.

You have to look at the enormous amount of competition we have currently. What in the world do you mean by no meaningful competition?

The majority of broadband subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of phone service subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of television subscribers HAVE A CHOICE

There has never been so much competition for these services ever. Capitalism FTW.

 

[techs]

It's an election year. Just more Republcan b.s. Once the election is over its cable monoply all the way.

 

[lupi]

Originally posted by: Agentbolt
The only thing that bugs me is the lack of cable's competition against itself. The practice of carving out market areas for each provider and not allowing any other cable services to operate there is ridiculous. For cable TV, I have a chance of Comcast, or Comcast. Cox is literally 4 minutes away, explain please why I shouldn't be allowed to go with Cox? I'm currently stuck with horrible DSL service from Qwest because of this. Why'd I choose horrible Qwest service? Because it's better than the NO service I'd usually get from Comcast.

You really think Comcast would be content to sit around with their atrocious connections if their customers could go to Cox for their cable? That's the kind of competition I'd like to see.

Ya, I've lived in far more places than the average joe, and in exactly one of them I had the option of more than 1 cable provider.

 

[waggy]

man wish i had a choice on them heh

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: techs
It's an election year. Just more Republcan b.s. Once the election is over its cable monoply all the way.

oh i doubt it. this is going to get pushed through. but not for the reasons we want it to.

i would love to see real competition. But thats not what is going to get it pushed through. its as linflas said. its a way for the FCC to have control over the cable channels.

 

[techs]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: daveshel
You'd have to be crazy to expect more regulation from the FCC during a republican administration.

Since the Reagan years, we have lost the Fairness Doctrine, the Rule of 7s (that protected us from a high concentration of media ownership like we have now) and any meaningful competition. So we get escalating rates and crappy service.

You have to look at the enormous amount of competition we have currently. What in the world do you mean by no meaningful competition?

The majority of broadband subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of phone service subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of television subscribers HAVE A CHOICE

There has never been so much competition for these services ever. Capitalism FTW.

The majority of broadband subscribers HAVE A CHOICE NOT ME.
The majority of phone service subscribers HAVE A CHOICE NOT ME.
The majority of television subscribers HAVE A CHOICE NOT ME

Sorry, big city boy. Tens of millions DON'T have a choice.
And if you really were for the free market, then how can you actually defend a monoply? And it IS a monoply. Try calling your town and asking them if you can run cable to start your own cable t.v. or internet company.
Cable t.v. is like giving a hiway to a company and forbidding anyone else to make a hiway. Then claiming its not a monopy because people can just take helicopters to work.

 

[Linflas]

Originally posted by: techs

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: daveshel
You'd have to be crazy to expect more regulation from the FCC during a republican administration.

Since the Reagan years, we have lost the Fairness Doctrine, the Rule of 7s (that protected us from a high concentration of media ownership like we have now) and any meaningful competition. So we get escalating rates and crappy service.

You have to look at the enormous amount of competition we have currently. What in the world do you mean by no meaningful competition?

The majority of broadband subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of phone service subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of television subscribers HAVE A CHOICE

There has never been so much competition for these services ever. Capitalism FTW.

The majority of broadband subscribers HAVE A CHOICE NOT ME.
The majority of phone service subscribers HAVE A CHOICE NOT ME.
The majority of television subscribers HAVE A CHOICE NOT ME

Sorry, big city boy. Tens of millions DON'T have a choice.
And if you really were for the free market, then how can you actually defend a monoply? And it IS a monoply. Try calling your town and asking them if you can run cable to start your own cable t.v. or internet company.

Who's fault is that? Do you really think that absent exclusive franchise agreements forced on cable companies by local government there wouldn't be more that 1 provider? The monopoly was set up by government, not the industry.

 

[daveshel]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: daveshel
You'd have to be crazy to expect more regulation from the FCC during a republican administration.

Since the Reagan years, we have lost the Fairness Doctrine, the Rule of 7s (that protected us from a high concentration of media ownership like we have now) and any meaningful competition. So we get escalating rates and crappy service.

You have to look at the enormous amount of competition we have currently. What in the world do you mean by no meaningful competition?

The majority of broadband subscribers HAVE A CHOICE

I have a choice between cable and DSL. I already fired Qwest on the basis of their lousy service. I'm not going back to dial-up and there don't seem to be any satellite companies operating in my market area.

The majority of phone service subscribers HAVE A CHOICE

I have a choice between local service from Qwest or from the cable company, who resells use of the lines owned by Qwest.

The majority of television subscribers HAVE A CHOICE

I'm not a TV junkie. I don't spend more than 6-8 hours per week watching TV, and don't care to spend a lot for a bunch of channels I would never watch. This rules out the dish companies, and leaves me with a choice between an antenna and the cable company.

I believe this analysis illustrates the difference between competition and meaningful competition.

 

[DarkThinker]

Cable companies: No competition? THIS IS MADNESS!
FCC: Madness? THIS IS....never mind you are right, what where we thinking? We'll just go back to putting our thumbs up our asses...

 

[Nitemare]

Originally posted by: vi_edit

Originally posted by: Nitemare
cable and utility companies have monopolies. I just don't think it's right that in order for me to get espn from the cable company I have to spend $55 a month

How else do you propose you get it for less?

well I could give a rats arse about 95% of the other garbage that they throw in with their minimal espn programming. All I would watch is espn, a news channel, the history channel and maybe local programming.

They can do this minimal package crap because they have no competition that offers any alternatives.

 

[JDMnAR1]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: daveshel
You'd have to be crazy to expect more regulation from the FCC during a republican administration.

Since the Reagan years, we have lost the Fairness Doctrine, the Rule of 7s (that protected us from a high concentration of media ownership like we have now) and any meaningful competition. So we get escalating rates and crappy service.

You have to look at the enormous amount of competition we have currently. What in the world do you mean by no meaningful competition?

The majority of broadband subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of phone service subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of television subscribers HAVE A CHOICE

There has never been so much competition for these services ever. Capitalism FTW.

All this talk of "choice" overlooks those of us who don't live in an area populated enough to make if profitable for this multitude of providers to offer services, or are far enough away from whatever infrastructure is necessary to be able to choose. If the government wants to stick their collective nose in places it doesn't belong, lets see a realistic push to make at least one form of broadband (and I don't mean satellite/wifi) available everywhere in the US.

 

[waggy]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: daveshel
You'd have to be crazy to expect more regulation from the FCC during a republican administration.

Since the Reagan years, we have lost the Fairness Doctrine, the Rule of 7s (that protected us from a high concentration of media ownership like we have now) and any meaningful competition. So we get escalating rates and crappy service.

You have to look at the enormous amount of competition we have currently. What in the world do you mean by no meaningful competition?

The majority of broadband subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of phone service subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of television subscribers HAVE A CHOICE

There has never been so much competition for these services ever. Capitalism FTW.

All this talk of "choice" overlooks those of us who don't live in an area populated enough to make if profitable for this multitude of providers to offer services, or are far enough away from whatever infrastructure is necessary to be able to choose. If the government wants to stick their collective nose in places it doesn't belong, lets see a realistic push to make at least one form of broadband (and I don't mean satellite/wifi) available everywhere in the US.

oh man that would be great. i would kill for the crappy comcast everyone bitches about. right now i have satalite TV and a wireless "DSL".

i would love to have a choice on TV and Satalite. don't care as much about the phone service though heh.

 

[40Hands]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: daveshel
You'd have to be crazy to expect more regulation from the FCC during a republican administration.

Since the Reagan years, we have lost the Fairness Doctrine, the Rule of 7s (that protected us from a high concentration of media ownership like we have now) and any meaningful competition. So we get escalating rates and crappy service.

You have to look at the enormous amount of competition we have currently. What in the world do you mean by no meaningful competition?

The majority of broadband subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of phone service subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of television subscribers HAVE A CHOICE

There has never been so much competition for these services ever. Capitalism FTW.

You sound like a shill.

DSL can only handle so much saturation in one area. We can't get DSL. What does that leave us? Dial-up or shitty Comcast cable that's NEVER as fast as they advertise. So many choices, how will I ever decide!?

 

[Eeezee]

Geeze, I could have told them that and I wouldn't have needed research money to do it!

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: waggy
you do understand if it goes A la Carte you are going to pay more a month? unless you want one or two channels...

Indeed. You know what the cable companies will do? They'll figure out the average number of channels used per subscriber. Let's say it's 5 channels. And if the average monthly bill is $50, their price will be at least $10/channel. Result: most people will wind up paying exactly the same as before for their "choice" of channels. But now they'll only get 5 channels for the same price, instead of a full selection of many channels they almost never, but might sometimes, watch.
The cable companies wouldn't dare say, "Average subscriber bill is $50/month, and we offer 100 channels, so we'll charge 50 cents per channel."
Suddenly, revenue plummets.
Industry will not do anything, ever, that is for the sole benefit of the consumer.

 

[Wheezer]

Keep the government out of it.

People act like you don't have a choice, you do...turn the television off or switch to an antennae, as far as internet...go back to dial-up.

This attitude that there is now digital cable and hi-speed internet and it's your god given right to have it for nothing is a bunch of bullshit.....the Revolutionary War was not fought so you could gain a sense of entitlement for your entertainment.

"Wahaaaa! I can't watch the NFL or Ohio State on my cable!!!!....someone call Congress! They have nothing better to do than fix my cable!!!"....pansies.

 

[Jeff7]

Originally posted by: Wheezer
Keep the government out of it.

People act like you don't have a choice, you do...turn the television off or switch to an antennae, as far as internet...go back to dial-up.

This attitude that there is now digital cable and hi-speed internet and it's your god given right to have it for nothing is a bunch of bullshit.....the Revolutionary War was not fought so you could gain a sense of entitlement for your entertainment.

"Wahaaaa! I can't watch the NFL or Ohio State on my cable!!!!....someone call Congress! They have nothing better to do than fix my cable!!!"....pansies.

Thank goodness, someone who finally understands!

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: daveshel
You'd have to be crazy to expect more regulation from the FCC during a republican administration.

Since the Reagan years, we have lost the Fairness Doctrine, the Rule of 7s (that protected us from a high concentration of media ownership like we have now) and any meaningful competition. So we get escalating rates and crappy service.

You have to look at the enormous amount of competition we have currently. What in the world do you mean by no meaningful competition?

The majority of broadband subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of phone service subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of television subscribers HAVE A CHOICE

There has never been so much competition for these services ever. Capitalism FTW.

You are wrong. You are the most wrong person I have ever seen. How is it possible to be so incorrect?

I am a television subscriber, I had no choice in my area. You do know that cable companies are allowed to monopolize apartment complexes, right? Phone companies can do the same thing. Even in some suburbs you are able to use one cable company and one phone company, nothing else.

As for broadband services, the phone company and the cable company that cater exclusively to my apartment complex "compete" with each other for broadband services. They charge exactly the same rate ($60/month) for exactly the same service (1.5MBps download, insignificant upload). Do you call that competition?

I love capitalism WHEN IT WORKS. Capitalism is not working in many parts of our country.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: Wheezer
Keep the government out of it.

People act like you don't have a choice, you do...turn the television off or switch to an antennae, as far as internet...go back to dial-up.

Hey, while we're at it, let's bring back the cobblers and blacksmiths.

Some of us use the internet for, ya know... work.

Even those who don't, the internet over dial-up is like switching to b/w TVs. I'm all for keeping the government out of things, but don't make unreasonable arguments. That just dilutes your point.

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: JDMnAR1

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: daveshel
You'd have to be crazy to expect more regulation from the FCC during a republican administration.

Since the Reagan years, we have lost the Fairness Doctrine, the Rule of 7s (that protected us from a high concentration of media ownership like we have now) and any meaningful competition. So we get escalating rates and crappy service.

You have to look at the enormous amount of competition we have currently. What in the world do you mean by no meaningful competition?

The majority of broadband subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of phone service subscribers HAVE A CHOICE
The majority of television subscribers HAVE A CHOICE

There has never been so much competition for these services ever. Capitalism FTW.

All this talk of "choice" overlooks those of us who don't live in an area populated enough to make if profitable for this multitude of providers to offer services, or are far enough away from whatever infrastructure is necessary to be able to choose. If the government wants to stick their collective nose in places it doesn't belong, lets see a realistic push to make at least one form of broadband (and I don't mean satellite/wifi) available everywhere in the US.

I live just south of LA and still don't see any competition for these services. This is a pretty big urban area. Do I have to move to NYC or Chicago to see competition?

 

[Eeezee]

Originally posted by: Jeff7

Originally posted by: waggy
you do understand if it goes A la Carte you are going to pay more a month? unless you want one or two channels...

Indeed. You know what the cable companies will do? They'll figure out the average number of channels used per subscriber. Let's say it's 5 channels. And if the average monthly bill is $50, their price will be at least $10/channel. Result: most people will wind up paying exactly the same as before for their "choice" of channels. But now they'll only get 5 channels for the same price, instead of a full selection of many channels they almost never, but might sometimes, watch.
The cable companies wouldn't dare say, "Average subscriber bill is $50/month, and we offer 100 channels, so we'll charge 50 cents per channel."
Suddenly, revenue plummets.
Industry will not do anything, ever, that is for the sole benefit of the consumer.

They will also still offer the same package deals as before, but now you can pay the bit extra if you want a channel from another package.

Is there something wrong with this?

The guy who just wants ESPN can pay his $10/month to get just ESPN

Those of us that want a light package plus one or two other channels from other packages without paying an extra $50/month can get those, too. I would love to get the discovery channel, but it's not on the most basic plan for my cable company; I'd have to pay an extra $30 just to get discovery channel. I would be happy paying $5 or $10 instead just to get THAT channel.

 

[40Hands]

I wish there was a way we could keep the government out of it and not get screwed over as customers. With nothing but the almighty $ on the mind of most companies nowadays, I don't think its possible.

 

[oogabooga]

Where I live I only have ONE choice for cable which is COX. While I'm not fond of them, I have no beef since overall their service has worked well for me. They are my only option and in all fairness they do a good job for my phone, internet, and cable. My only beef is how expensive it is which competition wouldnt guarantee to fix, but would at least give me options.


I don't think cable companies would offer ala cart even if they had competition. They might offer better packages, but ala cart wouldn't come about because another provider is in town.

 

[Wheezer]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: Wheezer
Keep the government out of it.

People act like you don't have a choice, you do...turn the television off or switch to an antennae, as far as internet...go back to dial-up.

Hey, while we're at it, let's bring back the cobblers and blacksmiths.

Some of us use the internet for, ya know... work.

Even those who don't, the internet over dial-up is like switching to b/w TVs. I'm all for keeping the government out of things, but don't make unreasonable arguments. That just dilutes your point.

and you did with dial up also....high speed only made it faster....instead of faxes you have email.

This microwave society and the "gotta have it now" attitude is what is partially responsible for half the crap that goes on in peoples lives.

You may not like it, but you can use dial up for work....you are not OWED anything when it comes to technological convenience.