Why Does Internet Service in the U.S. Drive US Nuts?
Is it absolutely necessary to have an Internet connection to write? Sort of no, but really yes since so many agents, publishers and publications only accept email or online submissions.
And yet, with the Internet being a necessity for writers and many others, why does it suck?
I have spent hour upon hour of the past year dealing with Comcast. The service is horrible because it comes and goes and is slow, their customer service isn't any better, and it is INCREDIBLY expensive. Additionally, I had basic TV, phone and then Internet and they were charging me $130 per month. I just found out that has jumped to $190 per month. And this is with lousy service that cuts in and out that they haven't been able to fix.
So I want to fire them. Next! Crickets. Next!! Crickets.
Fact is, there is only one other provider in my area--Fairpoint--and nobody likes them either.
This is monopoly power at play--high cost, crappy product or service that you need--something our government is supposed to regulate and protect the people from, not empower the massive, monopolistic companies.
So, I thought, what happens in other developed countries?
"Even though the Internet was invented in the United States, Americans pay the most in the world for broadband access. And it’s not exactly blazing fast.
"For an Internet connection of 25 megabits per second, New Yorkers pay about $55 — nearly double that of what residents in London, Seoul, and Bucharest, Romania, pay. And residents in cities such as Hong Kong, Seoul, Tokyo and Paris get connections nearly eight times faster.
"So why are Americans paying more for slower service? The answer: There’s limited competition in the broadband market.
"In fact, half of American homes have only two options for Internet service providers for basic broadband, according to the Federal Communications Commission. And for faster speeds, a majority of households have only one choice."
If the party you plan to support in the next election is responsible for and supports the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that opened the floodgates of money into politics and empowered monopolistic powers, please think again.
If you plan to support the party that vows to overturn Citizens United and regulate commerce to protect consumers, thank you.