Bend Broadband Offers Fixed LTE in Oregon Speeds up to 12 Mbps, Caps up to 50 GB Bend, Oregon based BendBroadband isn't particularly well known, with just three reviews in our database. But the carrier got a big spurt of attention several years ago when they decided to be one of the first US ISPs to implement monthly caps between 10-50GB, and charge $1.50 per additional gigabyte consumed. Bend's now getting some attention for a move that's a little less controversial: they've begun to offer users in Oregon fixed LTE service. According to the company's press release, the service is replacing the company's existing HSPA+ offerings, and will now offer subscribers downstream speeds up to 12 Mbps. In 2008, Bend paid $6.745 million for the 700MHz "B Block" spectrum they'll be using for the LTE network. The company's website shows that pricing for the service varies greatly depending on whether you bundle fixed-line residential service. Standalone wireless data service costs $35 for 2GB of usage, $45 for 25GB of usage, and $55 for 50GB of usage. Overages are $1.50 per each additional gigabyte. Users save between $10 and $20 if they bundle traditional fixed-line cable broadband service. "The performance of our 4G LTE network has consistently exceeded our expectations for both speeds and capacity," commented Eric Anderson, BendBroadband’s director of wireless engineering. “With the push – both internationally and locally -- to further develop wireless network features and performance, we’re confident that our new 4G LTE network will allow us to provide superior wireless products for many years to come." According to Ben, they'll be shutting down their HSPA+ network by the end of June and only offering LTE service. The company also notes they're giving users who sign a one-year contract a free 4G LTE router if they sign up before the end of May.
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 Reviews:
 ·Comcast
| Punitive rates What is with the Punitive rates for data overage?
Going from the 25gb plan to the 50gb plan it's $0.40/gb, but the overage charge is $1.50/gb.
Why can't we just get a provider that actually bills rates by usage like a utility rather than this idiotic blockbuster video punitive late-fee style of provision? | |
|  |  mobOn the next level..Premium
join:2000-10-07 | Re: Punitive rates Uh, that would disrupt the gravy train they are setting up. | |
| | | Reviews:
·Comcast
| Re: Punitive rates said by mob:Uh, that would disrupt the gravy train they are setting up.
Yes, that is the sad and obvious truth, which is why I mentioned blockbuster video. Us adults can recall what a pain in the ass their late-fee profit scheme was. | |
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|  jester121Premium
join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL | said by Angrychair:Why can't we just get a provider that actually bills rates by usage like a utility rather than this idiotic blockbuster video punitive late-fee style of provision?
It's actually quite a bit like utilities -- a fixed monthly fee + usage (but in the case of broadband it's "overage charges").
POTS phone, electricity, gas, water -- they all have a base charge + usage pricing model, to varying degrees. | |
| | | Reviews:
·Comcast
| Re: Punitive rates No, no it's not. It's much more like the old blockbuster video rental fee and late fee cost structure.
You get a certain amount up front that costs less per unit than the punitively priced extended access you can get at the back-end.
With Utilities you have regulated charges for the actual physical plant then you have regulated charges for the actual delivered product. (typically water and electrical service)
With broadband you get unregulated metered service with a certain amount as the minimum you can buy and not separated from the physical plant costs, then you get late-fee style punitive charges if you overflow the bucket that's provided with your particular service tier. | |
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| PDXPLT
join:2003-12-04
Banks, OR | said by Angrychair:Why can't we just get a provider that actually bills rates by usage like a utility rather than this idiotic blockbuster video punitive late-fee style of provision?
Because they paid good money for the license for that spectrum, and now want a return on that investment. Apparently, they believe this pricing model will maximize the profit that they will be able to generate. They're in business to make money, not serve mankind. | |
| |  BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | said by Angrychair:What is with the Punitive rates for data overage?
Going from the 25gb plan to the 50gb plan it's $0.40/gb, but the overage charge is $1.50/gb.
Why can't we just get a provider that actually bills rates by usage like a utility rather than this idiotic blockbuster video punitive late-fee style of provision?
It's MANY times better than what Verizon offers with it's HomeFusion their highest cap is 30 GB and that cost $120 a month and overages are $10 per GB. It's also better than satellite. | |
| | tickman
join:2012-05-29
Montgomery, AL | Verizon Wireless $10.00 /GB
AT@T / Sprint $50.00 /GB
Really punitive  | |
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1 edit | You are joking right... considering AT&T and VZ charge $10.00 per gig overage.
I wish $1.50 was an option here.
50 gig for $54.95 vs 30 gig for $130 from Verizon. In addition to the $200 install fee. | |
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 LinklistPremium
join:2002-03-03
Longport, NJ
kudos:5 | Fixed line cable & fixed LTE bundled? Why? quote:
The company's website shows that pricing for the service varies greatly depending on whether you bundle fixed-line residential service. Standalone wireless data service costs $35 for 2GB of usage, $45 for 25GB of usage, and $55 for 50GB of usage. Overages are $1.50 per each additional gigabyte. Users save between $10 and $20 if they bundle traditional fixed-line cable broadband service.
Why would users bundle 2 complementary fixed broadband services(cable & LTE) to the same residence? That makes no sense at all.
I see their fixed LTE service as an option for customers who can't be reached by the landline cable service. In more rural/suburban parts of Bend's territory, fixed LTE can provide service to users that Bend normally wouldn't be able to service. | |
| | iansltx
join:2007-02-19
Golden, CO
kudos:2 | Re: Fixed line cable & fixed LTE bundled? Why? If they have an LTE dongle (like they do for HSPA+) it makes perfect sense.
Otherwise, not so much. | |
| | thecp
join:2004-07-15
Sacramento, CA | The article is confusing that's why. Just go to the company website and you'll see what they mean. | |
| |  tshirtPremium,MVM
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA
kudos:3 | And if you've ever been to Bend, you'd know that the rural-not reached by cable area (or much of anything else) is huge.
This plan also covers Wi-fi at some even more remote spots like smith rocks, etc. | |
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| | Oh that makes sense 2GB for $35
25GB for $45
50GB for $55
Really, makes a lot of sense the way they even try to price bandwidth when ISP's implement caps. Doesn't even make remote sense when you look at it. | |
| | mogamer
join:2011-04-20
Royal Oak, MI | Re: Oh that makes sense said by Anon2489 :2GB for $35
25GB for $45
50GB for $55
Really, makes a lot of sense the way they even try to price bandwidth when ISP's implement caps. Doesn't even make remote sense when you look at it.
It makes perfect sense, for the provider, if you cut through the industry BS.
This pricing scheme shows that bandwith isn't that expensive. Bend wants you to buy the most expensive package because you're getting more for your money. But if the industry bs mentioning that bandwith is expensive and they need to charge overages was true, then they wouldn't be using this model. They're making a greater profit selling you 50gb than they are selling you 2gb! And I bet it's $20 greater!  | |
| | BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | said by Anon2489 :2GB for $35
25GB for $45
50GB for $55
Really, makes a lot of sense the way they even try to price bandwidth when ISP's implement caps. Doesn't even make remote sense when you look at it.
Verizon's LTE Homefusion offerings
10 GB $60
20 GB $90
30 GB $120
$10 per GB overage | |
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