AT&T considers Atlanta for "gigabit" Internet (cheaper)

[tikigod311]

Because we really live in an oligarchy. The wishes of the people do not rule this country.

The US is an oligarchy, study concludes - Telegraph

We have to put up with the BS from ATT, Comcast, the airlines, large food companies, automakers, etc because money is allowed into politics. Keep making the central government stronger and this will continue to get worse. Make corporate/special interest donations illegal and stop concentrating power and watch how free and healthy this country will get.

[Nast]

There is no way on this earth that I would ever use Google fiber. I'm amazed at how many people want to stick it to the oligarchies of the last and current generations by running into the arms of one that is growing much more powerful and intrusive than the telecom and cable companies could ever hope to be.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by Nast

There is no way on this earth that I would ever use Google fiber. I'm amazed at how many people want to stick it to the oligarchies of the last and current generations by running into the arms of one that is growing much more powerful and intrusive than the telecom and cable companies could ever hope to be.

I'm glad you see the problem with many pro-google, anti-telecom that exist out there.

There is a certain trendiness and positive brand perception people have of Google.

Nonetheless, they represent a new competitive entrant at wireline communications to the home. I will welcome any additional competitive pressure they will provide.

The main issue we need to look out for is we can't have asymmetrical regulation. (ie. Google doesn't have to follow regulations AT&T would for the same service)

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by Nast

There is no way on this earth that I would ever use Google fiber. I'm amazed at how many people want to stick it to the oligarchies of the last and current generations by running into the arms of one that is growing much more powerful and intrusive than the telecom and cable companies could ever hope to be.

You are very very correct. Google generally is a fantastic company, for now. But data is power, and they have too much of it already. I have no desire to move over to Google. I like to diversify my data.

But I do love that they are coming in and creating panic in the lumbering state protected monopolies. More ATT than Comcast has been behaving badly, as shown by links I have posted. Screw them.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by Nast

There is no way on this earth that I would ever use Google fiber. I'm amazed at how many people want to stick it to the oligarchies of the last and current generations by running into the arms of one that is growing much more powerful and intrusive than the telecom and cable companies could ever hope to be.

Maybe it helps that I work in the industry, but I know enough to understand that Google and AT&T are 100% equals when it comes to their business interest in my personal information. If you really think there's a substantial difference between allowing AT&T, Comcast, or Google to sell you your bandwidth, you've been deluded.

[magnetar]

On the other hand, Google has a vested interest in getting more consumers faster access to the internet. The more people use the internet, and the faster and more reliable their service is, the more advertisements they'll see, so the more money Google makes. AT&T's vested interest is in maximizing profit from existing sources of revenue, which means they have a profit disincentive to spend money on increasing bandwidth and reliability.

[Nast]

Originally Posted by magnetar

On the other hand, Google has a vested interest in getting more consumers faster access to the internet. The more people use the internet, and the faster and more reliable their service is, the more advertisements they'll see, so the more money Google makes. AT&T's vested interest is in maximizing profit from existing sources of revenue, which means they have a profit disincentive to spend money on increasing bandwidth and reliability.

Of course both companies have a vested interest in your personal information, but the difference is in the amount and scope of what you are turning over.

And Google's vested interest isn't in faster service to show you a greater amount of ads, its in learning more about your online habits and usage. They don't make money by selling ads to you. They make money by selling you to the advertisers.

[magnetar]

Originally Posted by Nast

And Google's vested interest isn't in faster service to show you a greater amount of ads, its in learning more about your online habits and usage. They don't make money by selling ads to you. They make money by selling you to the advertisers.

Which, again, distinguishes it in no way from AT&T, Comcast, Cox, Charter, Verizon, the list goes on and on.

[Muffy1]

Verizon FIOS is true fiber optic but if you live in an area that has AT&T
Uverse then verizon fios won't go in that territory.

[roxyrn]

For the last week, there have been dozens of utility workers in my Roswell subdivision marking all of the gas, cable, electrical lines (lots of flags and spray-painted lines everywhere). I asked a worker what it was all about and he said ATT was putting in new high speed internet.