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“We welcome any video provider that wishes to sponsor its content in the same ‘data free’ way for AT&T Mobility customers and we’ll do so on equal terms at our

“We welcome any video provider that wishes to sponsor its content in the same ‘data free’ way for AT&T Mobility customers and we’ll do so on equal terms at our lowest wholesale rates” So the 2x+ "wholesale" rates they currently overcharge for peering right now, then. Wonderful. The eyeball ISPs gouge on both ends. They rip off their customers and they rip off the companies that need IP transit. They don't need to get rid of net neutrality to engage in anti competitive behavior, as they continue to demonstrate with stunts like this. Companies like Comcast could conceivably destroy Netflix margins in a day by increasing peering costs as much as they want and running their own video service that doesn't pay it. I'm actually surprised they haven't tried it yet. I'm not sure if Net Neutrality covers this scenario - if they just raised peering costs for everybody, it that not still neutral?

cmdrfred 10y ago
User (who lives in an area with competition): "It says Netflix can't be served by my provider? Something about Comcast increasing the cost of data? I'll call Comcast" Comcast (after a while): "Yes, we increased the cost of our data to Netflix's backbone provider to provide the highest value service and now they won't serve to you. But for only $99.99/month you can get our deluxe cable package that includes...." User: "Cancel my account, I'm switching to my local internet provider as they provide free Netflix." The solution to this problem is to encourage small local internet providers to pop up and provide much needed competition.
- ekidd 10y ago
  > User: "Cancel my account, I'm switching to my local internet provider as they provide free Netflix." What local internet provider? Where I live, the only lines into my home are classic phone (completely useless), DSL (ultimately controlled by the phone company, even if I think I'm buying it from somebody else), and cable (controlled by Comcast). The only good option is Comcast, because the phone company can't keep the DSL working.
  - cmdrfred 10y ago
    >The solution to this problem is to encourage small local internet providers to pop up and provide much needed competition. That involves invalidating the franchise agreements that Comcast and others have with major cities and allocating funds for municipal broadband programs. Unfortunately, that won't happen under Obama[0], or Trump[1]. Looks like it's about time for a third party to come forward in America. [0]http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/08/obama-golfs-with-comcast-ceo-170524 http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/08/obama-golfs-with... [1]http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-updates-trump-s-victory-could-spell-the-end-of-1479474374-htmlstory.html http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trai...
- JohnTHaller 10y ago
  Most folks only have a single operator in the US. I'm in NYC. The only fast internet I can get on my block is time Warner cable. No Verizon FiOS. No RCN. I could get slow overpriced unreliable DSL from Verizon, but the last time I tried DSL it was down for 10 days of my 30 day trial on my required one year contract due to a Verizon tech randomly unplugging the wrong wire at a nearby box.

cmdrfred 10y ago

User (who lives in an area with competition): "It says Netflix can't be served by my provider? Something about Comcast increasing the cost of data? I'll call Comcast" Comcast (after a while): "Yes, we increased the cost of our data to Netflix's backbone provider to provide the highest value service and now they won't serve to you. But for only $99.99/month you can get our deluxe cable package that includes...." User: "Cancel my account, I'm switching to my local internet provider as they provide free Netflix." The solution to this problem is to encourage small local internet providers to pop up and provide much needed competition.

ekidd 10y ago
> User: "Cancel my account, I'm switching to my local internet provider as they provide free Netflix." What local internet provider? Where I live, the only lines into my home are classic phone (completely useless), DSL (ultimately controlled by the phone company, even if I think I'm buying it from somebody else), and cable (controlled by Comcast). The only good option is Comcast, because the phone company can't keep the DSL working.
- cmdrfred 10y ago
  >The solution to this problem is to encourage small local internet providers to pop up and provide much needed competition. That involves invalidating the franchise agreements that Comcast and others have with major cities and allocating funds for municipal broadband programs. Unfortunately, that won't happen under Obama[0], or Trump[1]. Looks like it's about time for a third party to come forward in America. [0]http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/08/obama-golfs-with-comcast-ceo-170524 http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2013/08/obama-golfs-with... [1]http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-updates-trump-s-victory-could-spell-the-end-of-1479474374-htmlstory.html http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trai...
JohnTHaller 10y ago
Most folks only have a single operator in the US. I'm in NYC. The only fast internet I can get on my block is time Warner cable. No Verizon FiOS. No RCN. I could get slow overpriced unreliable DSL from Verizon, but the last time I tried DSL it was down for 10 days of my 30 day trial on my required one year contract due to a Verizon tech randomly unplugging the wrong wire at a nearby box.