vavoiper
join:2005-03-08
Falls Church, VA
|  reply to john262
Re: Those ISP's will drive up prices.
Yes, but if you let them have control of the market now, they will eventually raise prices...as monopolists always do (see 2 threads down on VZ's recent price increases). It's called Predatory Pricing, that is, using one's monopolistic position to lower prices to the detriment of competitors, and is illegal...if it can be proven. |
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john262
join:2003-09-26
Elko, NV
 ·Wireless Beehive
| Yes, I know all about predatory pricing. But if they raise their prices later people can always disconnect from them and get cable broadband or wireless. You see, as long as cable is out there and wireless is up and coming, they can't be called a monopoly.
The bottom line is that their $19.95 price is allowing many people to get broadband who otherwise couldn't afford it. How can that not be a good thing? |
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KoolMoe
Aw Man
Premium
join:2001-02-14
Annapolis, MD
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Speakeasy
| As long as the customer has the option of cable or wireless, that's not a bad argument.
For me, there's no wireless provider around, so cable would be my only choice.
Hmmm, a choice between the local ILEC monopoly or the local cable monopoly - not much of a choice. I'm glad I can go to one of seven local supermarkets, one of 12 different gas stations, etc. around here for choices and deals. Having a choice of two monopolies is not really much of a choice...
KM
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vavoiper
join:2005-03-08
Falls Church, VA | reply to john262
Who else can one call for business voice in most metropolitan areas. It ain't cable & it ain't wireless, in fact it ain't anybody but the monopoly ILEC. |
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john262
join:2003-09-26
Elko, NV
·Wireless Beehive
| I'm not going to debate the merits or lack of merits of monopolies here, but I do know that a lot of people long for the less complicated days when AT&T had an unfettered nationwide monopoly. There are arguments on both sides of this issue, but generally I will go with whatever system provides consumers with the lowest possible price.
Right now that's SBC in many areas.
If SBC starts to abuse their position too much in the future they can always be subjected to subsequent regulations. |
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