Very heavy statements. "They are working together to screw you."
Actually, they're only going to screw the very narrows subset of rural users who don't have access to competitive wireless or internet options.
If your only choice is Landline or Nothing, then this is a big deal.
If you have cable companies, landline broadband, wifi, and other broadband providers fighting for your service, this is a much less big deal. It's stupid scare mongering.
The only service to be slightly worried about is in emergencies. Your landline phone plugged in to the wall will usually still take a call if there's a power outage since the switching station has backup energy. But that's only if everyone isn't calling at once.
"If you have cable companies, landline broadband, wifi, and other broadband providers fighting for your service, this is a much less big deal. It's stupid scare mongering"
I live in a suburban area. Not too far from metropolitan. and close to (5miles) to a major ivy league university. Lets see my options:
verizon dsl (3mbs to 6mbs) - 54$
optimum - (15mbs but I barely get 1mbps at peak) 54$ soon to be 60$
wifi - sprint (4g/3g speeds, can say I get around 1 to 2 mbps)- 54$ for 4GB.
dslextreme (3mbs) for 24.99$
For me the best value for my money is dslextreme. If that option is taken away, then I don't really have much chioce because very one else is colluded and price is fixed in some private inter company meetings.
So you are the one without any real facts just discrediting the real issues the article points out.
No, these choices are not really competitors for each other. I don't mind having only 2 choices if they were just comcast and optimum or at&t and verizon. I think you are confusing between choices and competitors. dslextreme is a competitor to verizon and thats what will keep verizon delivering better service. But if verizon and optimum are the only choices (with prices fixed) , none will work to make it better for the consumer. And lack of competition is the reason why these companies are jacking up prices.
Actually, they're only going to screw the very narrows subset of rural users who don't have access to competitive wireless or internet options.
If your only choice is Landline or Nothing, then this is a big deal.
If you have cable companies, landline broadband, wifi, and other broadband providers fighting for your service, this is a much less big deal. It's stupid scare mongering.
The only service to be slightly worried about is in emergencies. Your landline phone plugged in to the wall will usually still take a call if there's a power outage since the switching station has backup energy. But that's only if everyone isn't calling at once.