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Ajit Pai promised faster broadband expansion:
2019 was the second straight year that Comcast lowered its overall cable capital expenditures (though Comcast's spending on line extensions and scalable infrastructure rose in 2018).
This wasn't supposed to happen, according to claims that ISPs and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai made in order to push through the repeal of net neutrality rules and other deregulatory measures. Pai, who just today released an 11-page list of his accomplishments as FCC chair, repeatedly argued that net neutrality rules caused broadband providers to reduce capital expenditures. After his net neutrality repeal took effect in June 2018, he claimed that the repeal and other FCC deregulation caused investment to rise.
But Comcast isn't the only major ISP cutting investment, as AT&T projects that it will reduce capital spending from $23 billion in 2019 to $20 billion in 2020. Charter Communications said in October that its capital expenditures excluding mobile services would total $7 billion in 2019, down from $8.9 billion in 2018. Verizon reported a small increase in capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2019.
(Score: 5, Insightful) by DannyB on Monday February 03 2020, @04:23PM (18 children)
Repealing Net Neutrality was a signal to ISPs that they now had a free for all. They could do anything they want without consequences.
Reasonable and responsible levels of regulation are completely unreasonable and irresponsible.
Net Neutrality seemed to work for a long time. ISPs simply routed packets. Managed their networks. Then they got the idea that they could extort "netflix" (and others) to have a decent connection to the last mile connecting consumers. Not all packets are equal when "netflix" is one endpoint of the connection.
If AT&T thinks Netflix is using too much bandwidth, then AT&T should charge AT&T's customers! eg, if AT&T thinks I'm using too much bandwidth on Netflix, then AT&T should charge me for that! As should all ISPs. After all the ISP needs to be able to build, maintain and operate their network. It's not Netflix that is using too much capacity, it is ME, if indeed AT&T's capacity is insufficient for this new 21st century household use of the network.
Netflix may pay AT&T for a better connection to AT&T customers, but Netflix will end up having to raise their prices to do this. So I'm paying for it, but it looks like Netflix is the bad guy raising prices instead of AT&T raising prices. But wait . . . now non-AT&T customers are also subsidizing AT&T to build out their network! Netflix users who are on Verizon are now paying AT&T (indirection through Netflix).
So now Verizon gets the idea, that they should strike a similar smoke filled backroom dasterdly deal with, say, HBO. So now HBO raises prices, and HBO customers are are subsidizing Verizon. And that includes non-Verizon users of HBO who are subsidizing Verizon.
Eventually everything gets paid for. Networks are built to have enough capacity. But why not just keep the costs where they belong. Netflix didn't just suddenly start sending me lots of packets. I was the one who initiated the activity on Netflix that resulted in a lot of network use. It is ME, ME ME who is responsible for using the network traffic, NOT Netflix.
Netflix, HBO, etc already pay quite handsomely for their end of the connection already. They are paying their fair share. I should also pay my fair share at my end of the connection.
Network neutrality always was how the network operated until recent times. Everyone paid for their own network connection and use. It worked so well that the internet exploded into what it now is in the 21st century.
Regulations are needed because corporations are unable to police, regulate or control their own behavior. There is no bottom. No low that is too low. When corporations complain about regulation, they have only themselves to blame for that regulation. The term Network Neutrality never would have been coined had this bad behavior not started.
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(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @05:34PM (1 child)
As I wrote elsewhere, if Comcast cuts Netflix connection speed there will be millions of customers who complain to Netflix. If Netflix posts an FAQ that boils down to, "It's Comcast's fault", the customers will start blasting Comcast. Comcast will buckle.
But if you launch a video service, somecoolvideos.com and start accumulating a customer base, Comcast can charge you extra for bandwidth and charge your users extra for bandwidth, and you and your customers will be too small to fight back. You'll scream at a few dozen poor hapless Comcast support employees, but nothing will change. So the Net Neutrality repeal profits the ISPs, strengthens the entrenchment of the existing major internet companies - Google, Amazon, Facebook, etc... - and hurts innovators.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by DannyB on Monday February 03 2020, @05:47PM
It was at least a few years ago, but I remember seeing the Netflix app on my RoKu complain very pointedly that there were network problems with my local ISP preventing this program from streaming at high quality.
I suppose Netflix would have automated tests which proved where the problem lies before pointing the finger at your local internet service provider.
Those kinds of interruptions didn't last very long. Network performance suddenly got better strangely.
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(Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @05:53PM (14 children)
Sending such signals seems to be a habit with the Rs.
(Score: 2, Touché) by Runaway1956 on Monday February 03 2020, @06:32PM (13 children)
Yes, because not one D takes campaign funds from any internet service provider, mobile or otherwise.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @06:57PM (12 children)
Yes they sure do! But last I counted the liberal politicians were some of the few standing up for our rights. Republicans have become a ghoulish entity that lies to your faces and doesn't even do a good job of it these days.
Stop being so partisan and focus on the issues. You're being manipulated by the WORST group of corrupt assholes around. Support AOC, support Sanders, support Warren. They all truly want to help improve the government, but you remain distracted by the bullshit Fox feeds you.
You think AOC is the devil incarnate, that Sanders is a kooky old man with crazy ideas. Any other 1st world nation, except Australia probably, they would be considered quite average. Only you batshit insane rightwing nutters believe the truly stupendous narrative lied to you by some rich assholes playing you for fools.
You are a sucker Runaway, and you do a great job of alienating those who would otherwise help you. Even your gun obsession would be protected, but you've gone so overboard with your paranoia that there is no discussing these things with you so I just point out the obvious for the 100th time and move on.
(Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @07:02PM
Self-awareness clearly is not your strongest suit.
(Score: 4, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Monday February 03 2020, @07:20PM (8 children)
AOC is not only ignorant and stupid, but she is batfuck crazy.
Sanders, I might have been able to support, but the Dems cut him off at the knees once, and they're working on cutting him off at the abdomen this time.
Pocahontas? Despite the fact that she has built a career based on lies about her heritage, I might be able to support her.
Problem with all of them is, the DNC is going to throw their support to either Biden, or to Bloomingidiot.
Maybe if all of you Dems had supported Tulsi more, we wouldn't be having this particular conversation. She is the most "qualified" of all the potential D's to fill the office of president.
But, the real problem with all of the DNC's chatter this time around, is Trump will be reelected. All of the noise from the left will be null and void when he is sworn in for his second term.
You guys ought to be considering the next election right now. Keep Tulsi Gabbard around. That woman can take you places that you can't even dream about today.
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @07:40PM
Just imagine the mental implosion of the various arms of the establishment if you supported Sanders and got some good grassroots support from your community as well!
Republicans for Sanders 2020! You heard it from Runaway first! If he is fucked over by the DNC again he'll probably run independent so you'd better vote for him if he does :D
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @07:49PM (3 children)
Trump will not be reelected one his crimes are made public. He had his son get a job paying $80k per month for a corrupt company in Ukraine, then threatened to withhold $1 billion aid if they did not fire a prosecutor who was looking into the company.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Monday February 03 2020, @09:48PM (2 children)
This is so wrong.
This is Trump we're talking about.
Once his crimes are made public, they will be canonized as a template of expected presidential behavior.
Trump will not only be elected in 2020, he will also get another term in 2024 with any need of elections. He's hinted about this numerous times. Sending up "half joking" test balloons to test the waters for toxicity.
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(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @10:24PM
Bot, troll, shill, who can say?
Oddly it is a more accurate depiction since Biden can't be RE-elected. Very strange.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday February 04 2020, @12:50AM
Trump infected china with tradewar. I am american and know china is more wisdom than 1000 year old fish, they will trick with a small beneath control situations.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 05 2020, @12:45AM (1 child)
I don't think you actually understand what batfuck crazy is.
Here is a hint https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/02/04/shoot-socialists-rodney-garcia-montana/ [washingtonpost.com]
(Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday February 05 2020, @01:07AM
He and O'Crazio went to batfuck finishing school together.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday February 05 2020, @10:17PM
Trump may well be elected again. And again, it won't be because a majority of the voters voted for him.
That said, no, you don't have a voice in who the D's might considered as you've already revealed where your blinders are and it is not with them.
(Score: 4, Informative) by deimtee on Monday February 03 2020, @11:42PM (1 child)
Australia has gun control, universal healthcare, and a legal minimum wage of $19.49 /hour.* AOC and Sanders are right of center here.
*the minimum wage is A$19.49 (~$13.50 USD) per hour set federally by the Fair Work Commission. Employers also pay a minimum of another 9.5% of the wage into superannuation (similar to a 401K). Non-permanent positions are paid minimum 15% more. Note this is a minimum. As a real-life example supermarket checkout chicks are paid about $26/hour. (~US$17.50). At that pay level income tax is under 10% and there are no other deductions.
If you cough while drinking cheap red wine it really cleans out your sinuses.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday February 03 2020, @11:52PM
Australia also has immigration policies that would have AOC's base rioting in the street if they were implemented here, but don't let that get in the way of your argument.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by takyon on Monday February 03 2020, @06:52PM
Competition and cheap bandwidth make exploiting a lack of net neutrality difficult.
There are plenty of under-served places in the U.S. and Pai has not helped much on that front. Starlink could help by providing a vastly superior option for rural users. 5G could provide competition [businessinsider.com] in denser areas.
Bandwidth continues to get cheaper, and the amount of bandwidth needed to stream video (per user) drops with each new codec that gets adopted, although it can creep back up if users switch to 4K/8K, 60-120 Hz, HDR, etc.
It's all about video because throttling shouldn't make a big difference for audio, images, and web pages, and there is a conflict of interest with certain ISPs offering their own video streaming platforms in a crowded market ripe for culling.
[SIG] 10/28/2017: Soylent Upgrade v14 [soylentnews.org]