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Old 08-31-2013, 11:18 AM
 
5 posts, read 4,621 times
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I'm coming back into states, after 8 years in europe. What is a good Internet Service Provider in Saint Petersburg area?

In Europe I payed $20 for unlimited 100mb connection + 200 chanels (50 HD). Is there anything like this here?
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Old 08-31-2013, 02:40 PM
 
Location: Lincoln County Road or Armageddon
5,020 posts, read 7,223,411 times
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Not at that price. Unlike most European countries, U.S. internet providers are allowed to gouge the customers. Brighthouse charges a minimum of $97 for 30mb connection and digital TV. You'll pay extra if you want a DVR.
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Old 09-01-2013, 12:33 AM
 
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Seriosly?! With those prices I might as well open my own ISP.
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Old 09-01-2013, 04:14 AM
 
Location: Lincoln County Road or Armageddon
5,020 posts, read 7,223,411 times
Reputation: 7311
Quote:
Originally Posted by tverdok View Post
Seriosly?! With those prices I might as well open my own ISP.
It would be impossible for you to do that unless you ran all your own infrastructure and that's a major reason why broadband is such a ripoff in the States. Many European countries require big ISP providers to lease their infrastructure to other, smaller broadband providers (local loop unbundling). More competition = lower prices (at least that's what we've been told). Not surprisingly the big ISP providers in the States hate the idea of competition and have many amusing reasons/excuses why it won't work here. I'd have more respect for them and their political lackeys if they'd just admit that they're gouging their customers and have no intention of stopping.

This article explains it better than I can.


Why is European broadband faster and cheaper? Blame the government
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Old 09-01-2013, 04:53 AM
 
5 posts, read 4,621 times
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The way I see it, there are two options:

- Someday our government realizes that internet is a utility and should be treated as such, forcing giants like Comcast to at least provide quality service for all areas.

- Follow they way of UK and the rest of the world - promote competition. It's no doubt a much better choice, but I find it unlikely to happen, too many politicians have been bought by lobbyists

Still can't believe that our government has allowed Comcast to Purchase NBC and to create such a vertical economical giant - this goes against everything we used to stand for: diversity, competition, freedom of choice....

P.s. There seem to be some ISP willing to promote competition, like Centurylink for example CenturyLink | Wholesale | Digital Signal Level 3 (DS3) Service
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