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Why? Because Comcast can make them. Comcast invested in infrastructure which brought subscribers to Netflix. When these subscribers have no alternative (which i
by seabee 16y ago
Why? Because Comcast can make them. Comcast invested in infrastructure which brought subscribers to Netflix. When these subscribers have no alternative (which is apparently the case in many parts of the US) Comcast gets to do all the usual monopoly tricks. "How much is this subscriber worth to you?" Enough to pay, clearly.
For comparison, there was a little discussion recently in the UK re: net neutrality. It is unlikely to go anywhere because of the ease of switching ISPs, and the fact that the BBC - probably the biggest bandwidth sucker nationwide - is 'highly unlikely' to pay ISPs for access. If the biggest player won't pay, who will?
Business is about extracting value, not recouping costs. Amoral, not benevolent.
- jordan0day 16y agoWell yes, of course a business is going to use any tricks, dirty or otherwise, to get as much money as possible. The fact that Comcast is charging their subscribers for access to "the internet" means they ought to be obligated to take bits from anyone who will provide them. If level3 is saying "A person on your network wants these bits, here they are!", Comcast has an obligation to their customer to deliver them.