4 ms·

Maybe a good question to put on the census?

mjevans 7y ago
It would be much better if the ISPs in a given census block were required to list the offered packages and prices; that could then be submitted to those polled (along with some fake options to detect those who just don't know). The citizen would be asked to fill out one column of check-boxes "from packages reportedly offered in their area" to see which they've been offered by the ISPs, and another to select the level of service they're currently getting.
- hinkley 7y ago
  Offered and available are two different things. For instance, the COs are too far apart to drive high speed DSL to the edges of the areas they serve, so DSL 'broadband' is a dalmatian pattern even in an urban area. So you have cable, which is oversubscribed and has ulterior motives. Until your neighborhood has fiber the 'has broadband' question is pretty much on a block by block basis, and in some instances house by house.
  - inetknght 7y ago
    If a company advertises (offers) a service and then backs out, is that grounds for false advertisement complaints?
    - sokoloff 7y ago
      If they advertise aDSL with “speeds up to” and an inherent limitation in the system (distance to CO or line quality), I suspect they’re in the clear legally (and morally IMO)
      - munk-a 7y ago
        If only we had some sort of Federal Working Group - or Commission on Communication... then perhaps that group could ban the practice of advertising "speeds up to" and require that plans be reported with minimum speed guarantees (with some allowance for craziness, like an SLA - 95% of the time monthly the speed will be at least 30Mb)
        sokoloff 7y ago
        Does banning the advertising of ADSL (in practice) benefit or harm consumers in total in areas where that's the fastest terrestrial option? I believe it harms them (in that advertising the cost and availability of ADSL is better than remaining silent on the service). ADSL line performance is hyper-localized to the individual service recipient.
        guitarbill 7y ago
        I think the point is that measuring real, possible ADSL speeds can and should be done. There's no reason the price couldn't be prorated based on the maximum achievable speed at your household. Good luck getting that at the moment though. The other issue is fluctuating speed at peak times. This is far, far worse IMO, because companies have oversold capacity and should be considered false advertising.
        sokoloff 7y ago
        "Our service is prorated at $100/mo per 1Mbps download. For customer convenience, we also cap the monthly bill at $75/mo. You always pay the lower of the two prices." Done.
    - rayiner 7y ago
      No? My maid service advertises that they serve houses “throughout the MD/VA/DC area.” But they won’t clean your house unless they can find a nearby team that has space on a workable route.
    - mikeash 7y ago
      No more than the local grocery store running out of watermelon after advertising them in their weekly flyer.
    - deleted 7y ago
      [deleted]
- creaghpatr 7y ago
  I almost feel like that would be government-sponsored advertising of private companies, but if it's an awareness issue it might help. Maybe even drive some companies to expand their presence if they get help penetrating unserved markets.

It would be much better if the ISPs in a given census block were required to list the offered packages and prices; that could then be submitted to those polled (along with some fake options to detect those who just don't know). The citizen would be asked to fill out one column of check-boxes "from packages reportedly offered in their area" to see which they've been offered by the ISPs, and another to select the level of service they're currently getting.

hinkley 7y ago
Offered and available are two different things. For instance, the COs are too far apart to drive high speed DSL to the edges of the areas they serve, so DSL 'broadband' is a dalmatian pattern even in an urban area. So you have cable, which is oversubscribed and has ulterior motives. Until your neighborhood has fiber the 'has broadband' question is pretty much on a block by block basis, and in some instances house by house.
- inetknght 7y ago
  If a company advertises (offers) a service and then backs out, is that grounds for false advertisement complaints?
  - sokoloff 7y ago
    If they advertise aDSL with “speeds up to” and an inherent limitation in the system (distance to CO or line quality), I suspect they’re in the clear legally (and morally IMO)
    - munk-a 7y ago
      If only we had some sort of Federal Working Group - or Commission on Communication... then perhaps that group could ban the practice of advertising "speeds up to" and require that plans be reported with minimum speed guarantees (with some allowance for craziness, like an SLA - 95% of the time monthly the speed will be at least 30Mb)
      - sokoloff 7y ago
        Does banning the advertising of ADSL (in practice) benefit or harm consumers in total in areas where that's the fastest terrestrial option? I believe it harms them (in that advertising the cost and availability of ADSL is better than remaining silent on the service). ADSL line performance is hyper-localized to the individual service recipient.
        guitarbill 7y ago
        I think the point is that measuring real, possible ADSL speeds can and should be done. There's no reason the price couldn't be prorated based on the maximum achievable speed at your household. Good luck getting that at the moment though. The other issue is fluctuating speed at peak times. This is far, far worse IMO, because companies have oversold capacity and should be considered false advertising.
        sokoloff 7y ago
        "Our service is prorated at $100/mo per 1Mbps download. For customer convenience, we also cap the monthly bill at $75/mo. You always pay the lower of the two prices." Done.
  - rayiner 7y ago
    No? My maid service advertises that they serve houses “throughout the MD/VA/DC area.” But they won’t clean your house unless they can find a nearby team that has space on a workable route.
  - mikeash 7y ago
    No more than the local grocery store running out of watermelon after advertising them in their weekly flyer.
  - deleted 7y ago
    [deleted]
creaghpatr 7y ago
I almost feel like that would be government-sponsored advertising of private companies, but if it's an awareness issue it might help. Maybe even drive some companies to expand their presence if they get help penetrating unserved markets.