A Visit from the Cable Guy
While I’m going on and on about utility companies (because let’s face it, Verizon and Comcast are rapidly becoming nearly the same), how about I write up the experience I just had.
I don’t normally expect visitors on a Saturday unannounced. Further, I don’t get packages. When I got to my front door, it was a Comcast employee. He warmed up by asking if I had Verizon home phone service. Well, seeing as I don’t like getting taken advantage of, the answer is no. He then asked me if I had a home phone. It’s clear where he was going, so I played along. Yes, I have internet phone service (Vonage in particular). He guessed that it was Vonage.
He then told me that Comcast offered the same service, but with better quality. That could be, but I haven’t had any issues. He then told me that Vonage uses their pipes (that’s not a quote, I don’t remember the exact phrasing) and that they allowed that, but they could shut them off at any time. For $8/month more than what I’m currently paying, I’d get a phone line through them and I’d get digital cable with a free year of Starz and HBO.
If I dropped Vonage, I would save money. However, I like the portability of being able to bring my box anywhere with me. When I go to Macworld Expo in San Francisco next year, being able to bring my phone with me will be a big bonus. Plus, I plan on spending a good amount of time at my parents’ fancy new house in Maine. I can’t do that with Comcast.
I’m sure you’re brain is bubbling, or you may be even screaming. Why haven’t I said anything about Comcast basically telling me that they could shut off Vonage whenever they want? Well, that’s because I wanted to get the other stuff out of the way first.
Pay attention boys and girls: this is Net Neutrality hitting home. Comcast threatened to degrade my independent internet phone service to the point of being shutoff in order to promote their own service. That internet connection they supply is for my use and what I choose to do with it is my business. If I want to use Vonage, I can use Vonage. The day they lock me out of it is the day they lose me as a customer. It’s unacceptable.
However, I think it’s all bark. The real question is do I want to pay $8 for an extra phone line, digital cable, and some premium channels. I think I might.
That sounds strange and I’m pretty sure that Comcast can’t just shut off your access to Vonage. If they tried that, you should switch providers as you mentioned and file a complaint with the FCC.
I am opposed to net neutrality legislation and work with the Hands Off the Internet coalition. My organization completely supports free access to all sites. The ISPs don’t want to and can’t (legally) block access to any websites. However, they do want to be able to privide enhanced service for a higher price to the content providers and not you the consumer. That is why we don’t need net neutrality regualtions because consumers can switch providers and the FCC already has the authority to address any potential problems like you mentioned.
[…] In A Visit from the Cable Guy Derik shows a concrete example of why we need Net Neutrality legislation. HOTI (what, no real name - stand by your convictions when you make a comment) comments that the FCC will solve any problems that occur from an ISP blocking connections to a specific web site or service. HOTI also says that consumers can switch providers if the provider blocks something. BS. Consumers are going to be locked into long term contracts that they can’t get out of easily. For example, the Comcast Triple Strike plan (or whatever it’s called) is a one year commitment. If Derik switched to it, then they block his Vonage line, Derik has to pay the rest of $100/month for a year. Filing an FCC complaint? OK. How much time will it take for the FCC to actually do something? The recent Verizon “Subscriber line charge” debacle is an exception to the effectiveness of the FCC. […]
[…] Re:Quota Filling (Score:1) by Paradise Pete (33184) on Monday October 02, @10:12AM (#16276331) (Last Journal: Tuesday May 03, @10:38PM) You’re too humble. When I saw your post I thought you were stealing this guy’s story. [godlikenerd.com] […]
[…] “Hands off the Internet” is Blog Trolling Curious about the anonymous HOTI and her anti-neutrality comments on my previous blog post, I threw this query out, and below are just a few of the results. HOTI’s has been very busy prosthelytizing on the Blogosphere. One is tempted to believe this is not your average blog user. It’s…it’s almost as if it were his job to defend telcom interests via people’s blog comments system. What a silly notion. Who would pay for that?Evan_Tech on LiveJournalPeoria PunditSmart MobsD00dismThe Lippard BlogWeb Things ConsideredMoyers On America: Net at Risk […]
Hi I’m Sonja,
As you may have guessed, I am mad about bargains. I am a wife, a mother and I have run my own recruitment business for over twenty years. I make my living by giving the best value for money so when I spend it I expect to get the same.
I love quality items, five star cruises and generally the good things in life and I have found that I can afford more of them if I get them at bargain prices.
This Blog http://bargains-hunter.blogspot.com is for bargain hunters to share information so we can all get the best value for our hard-earned money.
Cheers
Sonja
There’s some special secret Sale link on Amazon, EBay, etc. where you can find very good discounts:
http://bargains-hunter.blogspot.com
I’ve seen discounts there as low as 75% off sticker Price.
[…] Geeking around town… Comment on A Visit from the Cable Guy by Boatsopendese […]
[…] However, I think it’s all bark. The real question is do I want to pay $8 for an extra phone line, digital cable, and some premium channels. I think I might. Author: Derik Category: Technology Date Published: 1/1/0001 12:00:00 AM Read Full Article […]