 
fegul
Premium
join:2004-08-23
united state | Damn Its already costing me $53 a month. Crap. | |
|
 | 
insomx
Premium
join:2003-01-26
Canada | Re: Damn Ditto! | |
|
| | rickten
join:2002-03-09
Davis, CA | Re: Damn the rich get richer and the common man, well you get the point. | |
|
| | | 
richardpor
Fur it up
join:2003-04-19
Portland, OR | Re: Damn Only people are getting richer are the government bureaucrats. | |
|
| | | | 
sporkme
drop the crantini and move it, sister
Premium,MVM
join:2000-07-01
Morristown, NJ
 ·Optimum Online
| Re: Damn said by richardpor  :Only people are getting richer are the government bureaucrats. That's what your local thieving telco would like you to think. Many of the "taxes" aren't. FCC Subscriber Line Charge? Not a tax. Most of the line items aren't. And no one seems to have any record of where the USF dollars go; from what I can gather the telco is the party that decides where that cash ends up. Of course we can trust that it's ALL going to rural POTS service, right?  | |
|
| | | | |
richardpor
Fur it up
join:2003-04-19
Portland, OR
| Re: Damn Oh so are you going to tell me that some how government passes a law to allow Telco’s to take a little more money from the customer and spend it any way the company wants?
Hey Gus I know politics. There are plenty way government beat around the bush in raising taxes. One-way is not to call it a tax but a fee. | |
|
| | |
| 
jsimmons
Premium,MVM
join:2000-04-24
Falls Church, VA
| I pay $49/month for a Local/LD phone service package from the phone co. What do I get billed? Try $74!! Thats $25 a month in taxes and fees!!
The governments (yes federal, state, and local) and phone company know they can get away with it... and the phone company lobbies want to level the playing field against broadband - not by reducing the fees and taxes, but by making the BB providers tack on the same fees and taxes.
Gees.. my phone bill is indecipherable enough as it is. Soon, the broadband bills will be the same.
Time to write your congress representatives about this madness (not that it'll do a lick of good). But its time for consumers to make their point and make it loudly.
--
"Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not one bit simpler."- Albert Einstein | |
|
| Mordhem
Love it, Hate it.
join:2003-07-10
Baltimore, MD | Ya about the same here, if this happens I will be dropping comcast for Verizon dsl its far cheaper as it is.
--
Baltimore Glass Company(410) 338-1880 2700 Remington AveBaltimore, MD 21211 Bobby Spicer. | |
|
Boomerang86
Got FUD?
Premium
join:2002-10-18
VampireState
clubs: | Hold the phone Da##it!!! How is throwing EVEN MORE money at a program which is already badly mismanaged going to solve ANY problem??? | |
|
| 
celeritypc
For Lucky Best Wash, Use Mr. Sparkle
Premium
join:2004-05-15
Caldwell, NJ
| Re: Hold the phone Da##it!!! said by Boomerang86 :How is throwing EVEN MORE money at a program which is already badly mismanaged going to solve ANY problem??? Isn't that how we solve all our problems? Something's not working, let's throw more money at it. We can further soak the people who really can't afford it.  | |
|
| |
| | 
Matt
Gone playing Dragon Age Origins
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
 ·North State Commun..
| Re: Hold the phone Da##it!!! said by ke4pym :said by Boomerang86 :How is throwing EVEN MORE money at a program which is already badly mismanaged going to solve ANY problem??? Thats what we keep asking our school system here everytime the county raises taxes in the name of making it better. They can't spend the money they've got now. You all have a NICE school system in Mecklenburg County though. | |
|
|
Matt
Gone playing Dragon Age Origins
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..
| said by Boomerang86 :How is throwing EVEN MORE money at a program which is already badly mismanaged going to solve ANY problem??? Come on bro, this is the government. Their solution to EVERYTHING is throw money at the problem until there isn't any money left, then cut back essential programs all while giving themselves raises. | |
|
ib50MbSoon
Formerly TwoKDialup
Premium
join:2002-06-07
Coloma, MI
| Crybaby Bells... "The bells have long complained that cable companies don't pay as heavily into the USF, which is geared toward subsidizing broadband deployment for the nation's less connected."
So explain why Comcast can deliver HSI to my address yet SBC and their USF windfall seems unable to deliver DSL. Or does SBC consider a connection droppin' 28kb dialup line as broadband? Sheeesh! | |
|
| 
Deft
Stros in '08
Premium
join:2003-09-06
Grand Forks, ND
clubs: | Re: Crybaby Bells... My cable company just raised their prices to TWO DOLLARS MORE!!! [sarcasm]ARHGGG im so POORRR[/sarcasm]
mines 52.00 now and i only get 5down and 512 up.. | |
|
| | 
BonezX
Basement Dweller
Premium
join:2004-04-13
Canada
| Re: Crybaby Bells... said by Deft :My cable company just raised their prices to TWO DOLLARS MORE!!! [sarcasm]ARHGGG im so POORRR[/sarcasm] mines 52.00 now and i only get 5down and 512 up.. get around same upload, double the download, $45CDN. | |
|
| | |
| | | |
udas
@hp.com | no big deal? If $2 more isn't a big deal to you then you can pay my $2 every month. That sounds good to me. | |
|
| 
Razgriz
Pandora rocks
Premium
join:2005-05-31
Fayetteville, NC
clubs: | As if Prices aren't already high enough This is just wonderful, I can barely afford what I'm paying now for broadband. If it goes up...this is not good news at all. | |
|
neftv
join:2000-10-01
Broomall, PA | Keep tabs On your local Congressperson and Senator and urge them enough is enough with the taxes. Make your voice heard that way to the people that have power to vote on this stuff. | |
|
oliphant
I Have 8 Boobies
Premium
join:2004-11-26
Corona, CA |  Great...
| |
|
| 
KeepOnRockin
Music Lover Forever
Premium
join:2002-11-08
Beaverton, OR
·Comcast
| Re: Great... said by oliphant :...like Comcrap needs any more help (or weak justification for) raising prices. I know. I already pay $66 a month.
I don't think I could take the price going up even more  | |
|
|
PDXPLT
join:2003-12-04
Banks, OR
| THE USF is NOT FOR BROADBAND!! "The bells have long complained that cable companies don't pay as heavily into the USF, which is geared toward subsidizing broadband deployment for the nation's less connected".
Wrong!!
The USF is a fund to subsidize universal telephone service to "high cost" areas. The intent was so that every American could get local telephone service, at a reasonable price. Old Ma Bell used to do this internally before the breakup, but the fund was set up after AT&T was broken up.
But the concept of Universal Service applies only to POTS telephony, and that's where the Fund is supposed to go. The 1996 Telecomm Act also allocated some USF funds toward broadband deployment for schools and libraries, but that is its only use for broadband.
The CNET article discusses some proposals to add the concept of Universal Service, and the USF, to broadband. But that's not the case today. | |
|
| 
TrainBuff
The New Haven Railroad
Premium
join:2003-05-01
Buffalo, NY
clubs:
 ·Verizon FIOS
·RoadRunner Cable
1 edit | Re: THE USF is NOT FOR BROADBAND!! said by PDXPLT :" The USF is a fund to subsidize universal telephone service to "high cost" areas. But the concept of Universal Service applies only to POTS telephony, and that's where the Fund is supposed to go. You are correct...but does the phone company or the FCC really cares...NOPE! The 1996 Telecomm Act also allocated some USF funds toward broadband deployment for schools and libraries, but that is its only use for broadband. The schools and libraries in my area did not get any money for broadband from the USF. We the taxpayers paid for that through our school and county property taxes. Feel like it's double taxation. --
Train Yourself To Relax...Ride The New Haven Railroad! Weather or No...Go New Haven!
The New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co.:1872-1968. Serving New York and the Great Industrial States of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. | |
|
guitarzan
Premium
join:2004-05-04
Skytop, PA
·epix
| Happy 4th of July To all BBR members.
Have fun this weekend celebrating our Independence.Try to Keep cool from the scorching heat and sun.Kick back,relax and enjoy the holiday weekend.Time to take in the fireman's bazaar's and fireworks displays and set off my own aerial displays.M-80's and quartersticks are ok as noise makers,yet not as good as the
displays I have.Alrighty see you's on Tuesday | |
|
ebubman
join:2002-01-17
Enola, PA | cable rates looks like we better get ready to grab our ankles. bub | |
|
usf is telephone
| New strategy needed Right now cable companies and voip companies have a clear advantage over the old telcos. One of two things is gotta happen, some of that burden MUST be shared by cable companies for providing phone service. USF fees are going to a corrupt organization and is rife with fraud. Now the only thing to do with that puppy is euthanize, and begin anew. All usf requests should apply directly to the fcc for subsizies and the fund should be FAIRLY distributed between ALL communications services, except internet access which has a general moratorium of fees. Now, this is my formula:
POTS: 20%
VOIP: 15%
Cell Phone: 15%
Federal Govt Subsidy: 50% (Yes, that's right, the federal gov't should be footing half the USF!)
HMM, where to that that 50% from, cable companies can kick in 1/3, broadcast tv 1/3, and any foreign owned communcations providers 1/3.
One major goal should be set for broadband, as being reachable to every town, throughout the country by either one of the broadband flavors (excluding satellite): DSL, CABLEMODEM, FIBER, WIFI. Bare-Minimum speeds should be 1.5megabits symmetric with 100/100mbit being the holy grail-sweet spot.
Also, there should be some MAJOR legislative reform on franchise rights for companies delivering fiber services. Telcos are burdened with the old regime of taxes and surcharges which make up about 20% of a consumers' POTS phone bill. THIS MUST CHANGE! Either by eliminating these fees or applying them to voip evenly, for example... if VOIP provider who owns the last mile should be responsible for their fair share of surcharges: 911, etc, etc.
This is all in hopes that the charges become more fairly distributed and become "LESS" of a burden for all. There is NO SANE reason to be paying $20 for POTS taxes and fees: PERIOD!!
A flat tax of 5-10$ is more equitable for example if ALL PAY IT! regardless of communications method: voip, pots, tin-can, etc... i'm talking about anything that links to the PSTN network for calling. | |
|
b_zen
Premium
join:2002-07-24
Saint Louis, MO
clubs:
·TTNet
2 edits | Going backward Looks like the US is the only country going backward on broadband. Most other countries are now offering more for the buck, or more speed for even less money.
Latest service in the "Old" Europe:
France, by the company Cegetel:
ADSL > 20Mbps > EUR14.95/month ( No contract agreement (can cancel the service anytime)
In the UK, Europe's most expensive country on broadband:
8Mpbs > around £25/month ($48/month)...
--
UWB over Wire is the future!
| |
|
flushls
join:2004-11-02
Joyce, WA | USF & broadband penetration Yes they want little BB providers like me to pay in but I can't get any USF to build out some of my out of the way customers. That are just to expensive to reach.
So the penetration that USF will help is your wallet and your .....
Flushls | |
|
plk
bo may sleep in loft
Premium
join:2002-04-20
Ogden, IA
| Its not universal service fund..... Its the 'Uninformed" Senator Fund. Used to buy votes and payoffs
What a gravy train for the Bells. This fund needs to be cancelled but we know it won't be.
--
Thermaltake 2000a/Asus P4C-e/p4 3.4/ocz3500 2x512/WD.2x200g/raptor2x74 raid 0/ATI 9600/APC sua 1500/Logitech z-680/ Samsung 213t LCD/MX 1000 | |
|
JohnUSA1
join:2005-07-02
Louisville, CO
| Guaranteed way to lower Broadband prices We can force the greedy broadband companies to lower their ridiculous high prices.
If we all stick together with my simple but very effective plan, we will all win.
We all, and I mean all of us. Yes, that means you too my friend, stick together and do the following:
Call your broadband company TODAY and cancel your broadband service. When they ask why, tell them the real reason: the ridiculous high prices.
Now imagine when thousands, or millions of us cancel together. Wow, does that send a clear and loud message to the greedy broadband companies execs. You bet. They will be forced to lower their prices.
We together have power. We can vote with our pockets. But to succeed we all have to stick together and follow my plan. How about we chose to cancel all together August 1st.
So call today and tell your broadband company to cancel your service on August 1. I know we will succeed. Of course there are some wimps who will not do this, but If most fo us do it, I know deep in my heart that we will succeed.
I will also cancel my broadband service.
Reply here with your comments. Would like to know what you think.
If you know a better plan, let us know of your idea.
Thank you. | |
|
|
Hangar
@optonline.net
| Re: Guaranteed way to lower Broadband prices John im right with you...and your idea applies not only to this particular situation but many other similar happenings in this country in both gov't and public sectors. What has happened in this country of ours is very very sad, almost embarrassing. We all complain about prices for this or that yet VERY few of us are actually willing to take the necessary (and very simple) steps to change it by refusing to pay/use the service...mostly because we are all fat, lazy and stupid...but then again we were all programmed to be this way for a very long time now.
We need to get back to our roots and band together more in some civilized & organized fashion as american citizens to fight for what WE WANT from both gov't and industry today. The more groups we form that are willing to take actions such as this might actually give the average "joe" a voice in how he, his family and his childrens family get to live their lives...everything in this country is about money and corruption...even medical care has taken a complete nose dive, i think its easier finding a good mechanic than a doctor who truly cares about his patients health these days.
Its really sad and sickening...but now with the internet at our fingertips, you would think we could all use this as a tool to make banding together as a nation and forming a plan of change much easier and more organized than anything we could have accomplished 20 or more years ago...yet...nothing. We all behave like sheep in these moments.
Dave | |
|
| 
Dryvlyne
Far Beyond Driven
Premium
join:2004-08-30
Newark, OH
| JohnUSA1,
I agree with your idea and think that it would work. The problem, however, is called "diffusion of responsibility" which is something I learned several years ago in a CPR class. Basically it referred to how when many people are witnesses to the same accident no one takes action because they all presume that someone else has already/will contact 911 and will administer CPR.
It is sad really, but people are so content with the status quo that things like broadband rates will never be in control of those that should have control of it... we the consumers. I think a good majority of the population in this country suffers from extreme apathy. For those that may not be familiar with the term, apathy is defined as:
1. Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.
2. Lack of emotion or feeling; impassiveness.
'Tis the same reason why things like environmental issues and the rising cost of fuel (which affect all people on this planet) will always remain out of the consumers control. God, just thinking about how many apathetic people there are in this country (let alone the entire world) makes me sick!
Peace
--
In relative terms life is shorter than the blink of an eye. Remember that each and every day because in the end it's not about what you've done but how you've lived.
| |
|
| | bent240LV
join:2004-07-05
Las Vegas, NV
| Re: Guaranteed way to lower Broadband prices the problem is getting millions of people to do that. many companies, like gas or utility companies, think that these thing are necessities so they can just make up whatever prices they fell. And for those that choose our current president, he is all about big business and does not care to much about us. i don't know if it is just me but i think there is no such thing as middle class any more. oh well.... | |
|
| | |
Hangar
@optonline.net
| Re: Guaranteed way to lower Broadband prices "Diffusion" is something i agree with, but i dont agree with apathy too much, because i believe there is much concern for many millions of people these days, more so than in years passed.
Theres a very simple sounding solution to get millions of people to take action. Use psychology and a very common human trait typically refrred to as "monkey see, monkey do". You see, i personally believe that the biggest reason responsible for it being so difficult to gt millions of poeple to take action is simply because most of us feel as if we would be taking action alone or that our actions in typical small numbers wont get anything changed anyway, so why bother taking the time out to sit down and write a letter, then find out where i have to send it, goto the post office to mail it, then the right person will probably never read it anyway...a waste of time most folks would think to themselves. This is the mentality of most americans today i think, and to a large extent they're probably correct in thinking this way.
But the internet can help change this way of thinking and open up an entirely new way of thinking and taking action for the average "joe" american.
Power is obtained 1 of 2 ways...either through money (lobbyists) or very large, cohesive & organized numbers of people taking action together as a single unit for a particualar cause (not thousands of ppl, we're talking MILLIONS). It is the latter that with some serious thought, explanation and a professional type of organization/implementation can become quite an interesting proposition.
I've been pondering ideas of this nature in the back of my mind along with plans of getting them implemented, but to make a long explanantion short....lets take the average person who i have described above...not taking any action to change any of the things he is always complaining about because he truly feels it would be a wasted effort because all those letters to washington get trashed to begin with, right?...BUT...
...what if this person was aware and well informed that every neighbor on his block along with 30% of all the cable customers in his county were planning a scheduled cut-off date for their services if a talked about price increase was passed there?...all of a sudden, "average joe" is no longer feeling so alone like before, and if he felt that enough people were planning on taking part in this action that maybe there really IS a chance to get something done!...if he feels strongly enough about taking part in making a change he's alot more likely now to get off his butt. He's also more willing to possbily have to do without service for awhile because he'll be going through it with his neighbors and wont feel as if he's losing out on something that everyone else has...he wont be alone on this one, and such a direct action with so many numbers behind him would most certainly yeild some sort of positive result most likely sooner than later.
There is great power in numbers. The trick is to figure out how to attract & organize those huge numbers (easy) and to properly evaluate the specific agenda at hand to come up with the most correct and responsible course of action needed to obtain the desired result of the majority without throwing ourselves into some sort of nationwide economic depression.
At the surface these may sound like some rather radical ideas ( to me too) but i truly feel that if the national majority was really willing to step back in time and ponder on what some radical but fiscially responsible changes might mean to their families, general lifestyle and overall health we might actually be able to relieve ourselves of 50% of the daily stress we all live with each day and lower the crime rate at the same time.
Its the citizens majority that can change this country, NOT our gov't. No matter what you were brainwashed to believe as a child, the gov't in itself does not exist anymore as an entity "of, by and for the people"..this is a pipe dream originally created with good intent but quickly soured. In its current state it better serves itself than its people at times.
Using the internet to form a single public venue where all interested american citizens can conveniently come to congregate under 1 roof to participate in discussions/votes/plans of action regarding both local and national issues they feel strongly about is the first step in realizing the true potential we all have acting together as one alliance.
With no red tape and no letters to Washington we really CAN band together in a responsible way and make BIG things happen VERY quickly.
I believe with very little effort on the part of the average person and from the comfort of his/her own home, along with the backing of a few big wigs and support from some high profile personalities we can start to build, no...we can start to ressurect a country that is honestly run "of, by and FOR" its people.
I dont know about you, but if someone told me there was a website you could visit to "complain" and make changes on 3 or 4 issues that were of terriffic importance to me and my family, and instead of just "writing a letter" and dealing with red tape you could easiy just cast a vote online and have 40-50 million americans (and neighbors) standing behind you ready to take immediate action towards implementing the change right away, AND its backed by a few political figures, one or 2 major corporations and a couple of movie stars speaking out about it, PLUS didnt you hear that the folks in "xyz county" used it to stop their cable company from rasing rates...i mean, geez...id ask right away what the damn website address is and id sure as heck take a look for myself...who wouldnt??
Dave
Radical thinking? well, only if the majority don't agree. | |
|
|
|
|
Expect Higher Cable Broadband Prices
·
·