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I don't think there's a lick of sense in this, other than the gist that consumer demand changes over time.
I haven't seen broadband of even the 3-6mpbs DSL level for less than about $35 for a long, long time, and it was only in the $20 range in denser city areas. Even decent dialup was around $30 until the desperation days of $10/month unlimited before it croaked.
Broadband access is a commodity that tends towards price points over technical matters - the providers look for an optimum number of users at the highest collective price, and deliver whatever level of services supports that cost for those users. That is, there's always a $40 or so option - it's just gotten faster and faster over the years. Within a certain range, it costs the provider no more to provide a wide range of speeds; convincing users they need much higher speeds is just free revenue.
If the droves cutting overpriced and bloated cable services have kicked the props out of loss-leader internet... oh, well. You can still go for the triple bundles with free HBO, you know.
I have $15 internet (grandfathered in and now $20) which was available to anyone for $15 up until Time Warner was bought by Charter Communications about 2 years ago. Before that I had $10 DSL through AT&T. The cheapest service now is around $50 which after taxes and fees is closer to $55-60/month.
I couldn’t care less about 50 or 100+ Mb internet.
We get 2mpbs 'dsl' for $30/month from our phone company.
Which pretty much confirms my point. Wow, you must be at the long tag end of the wire - I got 3+3 even at about 97% distance, way back when.
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Our other 'option' is to go with a satellite dish.
For which you need the copper connection for the (very slow) uplink. As long as you aren't sending much more than URL requests, it doesn't matter. But your kid will be grown up before you can get her 6th grade picture up to Grandma.
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I have $15 internet (grandfathered in and now $20)
There are many people on grandfathered, long-term contract and bundled prices that are still low. You have to talk in terms of what someone choosing service now can get.
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I couldn’t care less about 50 or 100+ Mb internet.
As I've said before, there are very few households (or smaller businesses) that need more than about 25mpbs, which is either a bottom/discount tier these days, or moot because the lowest speed is around 40. But the marketing power of Comcast et al. is mighty.
There are many people on grandfathered, long-term contract and bundled prices that are still low. You have to talk in terms of what someone choosing service now can get.
I believe that was my point. This is a “frugal” subforum and I’m discussing how frugal internet is no longer an option in many places.
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As I've said before, there are very few households (or smaller businesses) that need more than about 25mpbs, which is either a bottom/discount tier these days, or moot because the lowest speed is around 40. But the marketing power of Comcast et al. is mighty.
And when 100+ Mb becomes the standard norm, those that can get by on 3-10Mb (I’d say A LOT of people) will be paying what the going rate is...be it $60 or $80+ years from now.. Thus, cable providers will be increasing their revenues through internet services to somewhat make up for people dropping TV services...not that I blame them, it’s a business.
I believe that was my point. This is a “frugal” subforum and I’m discussing how frugal internet is no longer an option in many places.
Sure it is. Just because the prices you got 10 years ago and hung onto through things like grandfathered buyouts aren't available doesn't mean there aren't frugal rates out there for the taking.
The basic rule is
(1) look at ALL internet providers in your area, not only the ones that provide cable and phone and other services and bundles, and compare them ONLY on the basis of speed, price and reliability of their internet. Nothing else matters. It doesn't matter that Provider B only has half the cable channels of Provider A any more, or doesn't carry the full sports package, or whatever. You no longer care.
(2) dig for the basic chart of rates, not the promos and the bundles and what they want to sell. These days, you may be looking for the "low income" or "lifeline" rate of 15-20mbps, or their "basic" tier of 24-25mbps. There aren't going to be billboard ads for this - you're ghetto scum for even asking.
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And when 100+ Mb becomes the standard norm, those that can get by on 3-10Mb (I’d say A LOT of people) will be paying what the going rate is...be it $60 or $80+ years from now.
There will always be that basic tier at a bargain rate, from most providers and available to most households. If it's 100mbps, who cares? It's all about not getting suckered into PAYING EXTRA for speeds you don't need, or choosing a provider based on services you no longer care about.
Sure, they do everything they can to oversell you on high-profit options (there being essentially no operating cost difference between most speed tiers). But they always have a seat in the back for cheapskates who don't want to pay for first class.
Sure it is. Just because the prices you got 10 years ago and hung onto through things like grandfathered buyouts aren't available doesn't mean there aren't frugal rates out there for the taking.
The basic rule is
(1) look at ALL internet providers in your area, not only the ones that provide cable and phone and other services and bundles, and compare them ONLY on the basis of speed, price and reliability of their internet. Nothing else matters. It doesn't matter that Provider B only has half the cable channels of Provider A any more, or doesn't carry the full sports package, or whatever. You no longer care.
(2) dig for the basic chart of rates, not the promos and the bundles and what they want to sell. These days, you may be looking for the "low income" or "lifeline" rate of 15-20mbps, or their "basic" tier of 24-25mbps. There aren't going to be billboard ads for this - you're ghetto scum for even asking.
There will always be that basic tier at a bargain rate, from most providers and available to most households. If it's 100mbps, who cares? It's all about not getting suckered into PAYING EXTRA for speeds you don't need, or choosing a provider based on services you no longer care about.
10 years ago? Try 2 years ago. I basically stopped reading upon that correction. All I know is that there was once several options around $20 bucks out the door and now you’re looking at $60. That’s a little more than typical inflation.
10 years ago? Try 2 years ago. I basically stopped reading upon that correction. All I know is that there was once several options around $20 bucks out the door and now you’re looking at $60. That’s a little more than typical inflation.
Okay, great, you had nickel-and-dime internet two years ago. Not many people did. Sorry for your loss; thoughts and prayers; etc.
Okay, great, you had nickel-and-dime internet two years ago. Not many people did. Sorry for your loss; thoughts and prayers; etc.
I wasn’t really asking for sympathy but thanks anyway.
Nickel and dime internet, lol. It either does what you need or it doesn’t. That’s kinda like slighting a $20 TV service despite it having all the channels you want to watch. I often see people I know paying $80 for “fast” internet despite the fact that they aren’t doing anything to see any real benefits...don’t want to get the “nickel and dime” cheap stuff though.
So weird reading about these "low income" or "lifeline" rate of 15-20mbps, or their "basic" tier of 24-25mbps." When the fastest speed available in our town is still 2mbps.
Most of the time, tapping into open-networks is not a really reliable way to get internet-access.
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