Comments for Austin Broadband Information Center

Comment on Massa Files “Broadband Internet Fairness Act” by Earl Cooley III

Earl Cooley III — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:45:53 +0000

Ah, well, so much for that idea, Congressman Massa has resigned. Then again, maybe one of the bill’s co-sponsors will take the lead.

Comment on Massa Files “Broadband Internet Fairness Act” by Chip

Chip — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 20:57:35 +0000

You can monitor the status at govtrack.us: http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2902

It’s still in committee. I suspect most of the attention is currently on the FCC Broadband Plan, originally scheduled for release next month, but may be delayed 30 days.

Here is a recent update on that effort:
FCC’s underwhelming-looking broadband plan also tardy

Comment on Massa Files “Broadband Internet Fairness Act” by Earl Cooley III

Earl Cooley III — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:11:11 +0000

What is the status of this legislation?

Comment on Gallaga: Relaunch Unlikely by Earl Cooley III

Earl Cooley III — Wed, 13 May 2009 20:23:47 +0000

By the way, TWC RoadRunner just boosted my connection speed without me asking for it; it looks like they’re softening us up for future efforts. Also, they’re pushing market share lockdowns by offering sweetheart deals to apartment complexes: $35 a month for “expanded basic service” (generally equivalent to “standard service” but the new name gives them the flexibility to bait and switch if the want to later) which becomes a mandatory service fee on renter lease renewal. So, even if I want to switch all services to a competitor, I’ll still have to pay the $35 a month for services I’m not using.

Comment on Gallaga: Relaunch Unlikely by Phillip Dampier

Phillip Dampier — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:30:03 +0000

This is NOT over. I thought it might have been over when I was standing right next to Sen. Schumer when he was doing his press conference. I was assured that this was as good as dead. When I got home, there was the TW press release.

I spent today completely reviewing this from top to bottom talking to my own sources within TW, the media, Washington, industry people, etc., and I came to the conclusion this is not only NOT over, it’s a stall technique.

I expand on this on stopthecap quite a bit, but do not be lulled into complacency. They will be back after a few months of the gas gauge, telling people to see if they consumed enough bandwidth to matter, and also assume that if they didn’t, they would not engage in this fight.

They are sly, but so am I.

Comment on Gallaga: Relaunch Unlikely by David

David — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 20:30:07 +0000

I’m curious, where are the Texas state policymakers on this issue?

According to the press reports, it would appear that Texas consumers should thank New York state Senator Schumer for taking a firm stand.

Comment on Gallaga: Relaunch Unlikely by Jenn Brown

Jenn Brown — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:26:09 +0000

I hope it’s over, but I’m not going to hold my breath. As others mention, TWC has a real problem with billing creep. Anything we can do to prevent this metering and related charging from happening the better. Once they have it, it’ll be all but impossible to repeal it. Thanks to social media, and watchdogs, it’s harder for them to sneak this sort of thing through unawares.

Comment on Gallaga: Relaunch Unlikely by margaret

margaret — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:25:20 +0000

Now is the time to start writing our representatives in Congress to get caps outlawed. We should not wait until TWC starts making noises about caps again.

Comment on Gallaga: Relaunch Unlikely by Carrie

Carrie — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 18:18:36 +0000

@Larry

I noticed the ‘creep’ too. I was supposed to have ’surf & watch’ for ~$100/mo, and for 6 months they honored that price. Then, out of nowhere, they didn’t send us our bill for a month, and our price went up to $123/mo due to a late payment. They won’t back down on the price, either, now. We’re kind of stuck with TW, since our apartment complex has a contract with them.

Comment on Gallaga: Relaunch Unlikely by Adam Rice

Adam Rice — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:54:59 +0000

I’m a little surprised that OmarG is ending on a note that seems sympathetic to TWC’s position: “And perhaps the most valuable lesson we learned from Time Warner and this situation is that Internet traffic isn’t free….Time Warner struggling to find ways to deal with customers who use a very high amount of data every month….”

Nobody has explained how transporting a lot of bits costs more than transporting a few bits. I can understand how higher speed costs more.