Spectrum is a monopoly for a large portion of SA - Slowest internet speed is $70 - is that reasonable? (San Antonio: home, promotional)

[txbullsfan]

I pay for broadband internet only from Spectrum and have the slowest speed sold. I do not have phone, TV or any other product from them.

Spectrum is the only major provider for all of (not just parts of SA). There is another broadband provider (Grande) but Grande does not provide coverage for all of SA like Spectrum, just a piece of it. Basically, Spectrum is a monopoly regarding broadband internet for a good portion of SA.

I looked at my bill and for broadband internet only of the slowest speed sold, my bill is about $70. This is the price for loyal and existing customers. I looked at the cost for Cable TV for 125 channels and it is less what I am paying now.

A few questions:

1. Do you believe $70 (almost $100) per month is a fair price for the slowest broadband speed allowable?

2. Is this price comparable to what other developed countries pay for their internet?

3. Is other countries developed internet generally faster then ours and in better shape?

4. Is it acceptable that Spectrum has a monopoly on broadband for a large portion of this city?

5. Historically, do monopolies normally keep prices in check and fair?

6. How is just providing a line up to one's home so they can use internet more expensive (or only slightly less expensive) for a customer then paying for the content that is on it (major TV shows, movies etc.) when the cable company has to pay these channels money for each of these shows/movies/product?

7. Should internet be provided as a utility (like electricity) because of the importance of it (bill pay, knowledge, learning) with local and national providers just competing to provide the content?

[ged_782]

I don't think the monopoly for broadband internet will be lasting much longer in San Antonio. Most areas of the city have at least two providers, now.


Google Fiber is in the build-out phase here, and has already begun offering service in limited parts of San Antonio. Their coverage supposedly will be city-wide, upon completion of the build-out. Google has been offering their gigabit speed internet (which is the only level of service being offered in San Antonio) for $55/month, significantly undercutting competitor's pricing for similar speeds here, as well as pricing their service significantly lower here than in Austin, as well. My nephew lives in Austin, and is paying $80/month for his Google Fiber standalone gigabit internet service.

AT&T has also been busy trying to beat Google to the finish line, and has rolled out fiber services to include gigabit internet to a significant portion of San Antonio so far. AT&T began offering fiber to a substantial portion of my neighborhood in 2016, and my block got added last year. AT&T has been sending me promotional material offering speed tiers of 50mbps, 100mbps, and 1 gigabit with their fiber service, and are apparently no longer offering their "U-verse" branded products in fiber areas. Their TV service is now DirecTV satellite that doesn't run off their fiber network.


I thought I heard an ad from Spectrum recently offering internet speeds "up to" something like 940mbps. The providers all seem to be phasing out or grandfathering slower-speed lower-cost internet services, in favor of higher-speed higher-cost.

[Deep Forest]

Don't drop the soap in front Spectrum or you'll get an unpleasant suprise. I'm what they call a "TW Legacy Customer" so I get to pay $39.95 instead of the Spectrum promo of $29.95 per month. What I'm paying for is 200/11. However I'm only getting 90/11. They told me that it was my NIC. So I updated it's drivers with no success whatsoever. My last resort is to get a newer NIC and hope that works. Or buy a new computer. Bah !!!!!!

[Hedgehog_Mom]

If you call them every year when they raise your rate and ask about discounts, they'll usually put it back to the regular rate. I'm paying $62 including tax. As soon as Google Fiber is available, I'll switch. AT&T fiber is available in my area, but AT&T has always been sneaky and their salesmen don't understand "no soliciting" signs.

[ged_782]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog_Mom

If you call them every year when they raise your rate and ask about discounts, they'll usually put it back to the regular rate.

FYI- Spectrum will no longer do this. Promotional pricing is now limited to the initial term only with new service activation.

[Deep Forest]

That's exactly what they told me when I asked if I could switch. They'really trying to take "the most hated cable company" title away from Comcast.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

Originally Posted by ged_782

FYI- Spectrum will no longer do this. Promotional pricing is now limited to the initial term only with new service activation.

Then I'll probably cancel next time mine goes up, and my husband can put it in his name as a new customer.

[flashfearless]

Yes $60 is worth it for the 220 I get

[ged_782]

Originally Posted by Hedgehog_Mom

Then I'll probably cancel next time mine goes up, and my husband can put it in his name as a new customer.

That might work, but it didn't work for me when I tried to cancel service at my late mother's residence, and establish a new account in my name, because the address had some level of Spectrum service currently or within the last 30 days.


They said I would need to cancel and return all equipment, and wait at least 30 days before establishing a new account with promotional pricing. So, I cancelled and returned the equipment, and told them I was just going to establish service with a competitor instead (and I did). They said "OK, I'll take care of that", and I never looked back. Got a refund on the unused portion of my mother's service that had already been paid, too!


Spectrum absolutely refused to work with me on any kind of del or promotion.

[RadiantBaby]

Internet is privilege, not a right. A luxury item. Same with cable.