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Maybe it's because I live in a wealthier and more dense metropolitan area where there is actually still some semblance of competition between them, but over tha
by knowaveragejoe 9y ago
Maybe it's because I live in a wealthier and more dense metropolitan area where there is actually still some semblance of competition between them, but over that same time period both major ISPs in the area have stepped up the speeds they offer and prices haven't risen to match(as far as I can tell). Their lowest tier service is 50mbit, which was just a few years ago one of the highest. Both are offering gigabit to the home now, and one offers 2 gigabit in certain areas.
- zpallin 9y agoBut the technology for these speeds were available 15 years ago. The ISPs did not offer them or build them out to consumers, and this attributed to the lack of competition. Without Google trying to enter the scene, most internet consumers would not have realized they could get better. Also, these ISPs are overcharging for their service. Google's pricing allowed people to peer into the fact that they were being cheated. I'm not a Google lackey by any means, but they did a huge service to internet consumers, who are now much more aware of the quality of service they should be getting from ISPs like Comcast and AT&T.
- knowaveragejoe 9y agoWell, what I was getting at is that Google did seem to have a tangible effect. Either they did or some other parties in the area, I'm not sure. But based on the jump in available speeds and prices remaining roughly the same, someone at the big incumbents was worried about disruption.