Ricochet Bounces Back

Unstrung writes "Things to do in Denver when you're alive. Wireless data pioneer Ricochet has reinvented itself as a company that brings broadband internet access where the big guys fear to tread, starting in, er, Denver."

Comments

put the words in order!

[MiTEG]

for god's sake if you're an editor, put the words in order
someone should let t0qer know since apparently he used to work for ricochet and has less than pleasant things to say about it and many reasons whi it failed

Re:Broadband deployment

[SuperCal]

We have a visible light sepectum network here in the office. Its not a computer network. You know how its hard to talk in the morning befor coffie? Well I have devised a solution. I simply flash this lights on and off untill the secretary brings me a cupa Joe.

Some links...

[countach]

Their web site is here complete with wierd music and all. And Denver Business Journal article here.

Re:Broadband deployment

[Dthoma]

"Why isn't the visible light spectrum used more than it is?"

...he asked, moments before a disgruntled geek walking past shone a torch through his window and broke his ADSL connection.

As a Denverite

[rutledjw]

I really don't care. We have a first class phone company in Qwest that offers a top-notch DSL service with MSN as the provider. Like the Qwest advertisement says - MSN offers premium service and content! So then what's the point? Why would I EVER switch from that?

Yeah, right. Or maybe it goes like this: I get to shell out an EXTRA $20/month so those worthless thieves don't switch me to that abomination of an ISP (I'm officially a "business" customer so am immune from being switched).

I've been waiting for AT&T to get off their @sses and get cable in here (downtown Denver) so I can ditch Qwest as a phone (kick up my cell minutes to compensate) AND DSL provider. Maybe (hopefully) now I really WILL have an option. I'd much rather kick up the minutes on my cell and use someone else for Internet access than stick with the current Nazi regime

Re:As a Denverite

[dolmant_php]

I live in Golden (15 minutes west of Denver, for those who don't know) and we're not connected to Qwest at all. We get phones (local and long distance) and internet from AT&T, and we've got a dish for television. It's nice to know we won't be screwed by the Fourth Reich.

Concerning Richochet: I'm very happy with my cable service, and probably won't switch. But new stuff is always fun, so who knows?

Re:As a Denverite

[Doomdark]

Heh, good start... almost got me there. :-)

Now, one more thing to consider; I am a somewhat content Qwest DSL (but no ISP) customer (about only thing they do quite ok is physical DSL line... that is, once you manage to get it, it works well); I use a local kick-ass medium sized ISP so I have no big complaints. However, Qwest is heading for bankrupcy (50-50 chance I think), and right now they are not expanding their network at all. Thus, if you are in an area they offer DSL in, it's ok choice, and even through bankcrupcy proceedings things might work ok... but if not, you are SOL.

For that reason perhaps Ricochet's strategy is not stupid at all. In metro-Denver (~2 million people) they may have good chance, since the biggest competitor is in big trouble, and even in the best possible case (for Qwest), competitor is not expanding their coverage. ATnT may be some competition... hard to say. But they don't allow using other ISP, and their choice of ISP used to pretty much suck (according to co-workers who had their cable modem).

That's-a big-a piece a pie!

[NoData]

From the article:

"The users weren't mobile... you could own 1,000 percent of the mobile business market and still go bankrupt," snorts Ricochet's new president and CEO Mort Aaronson...

Ehhh...Que?...Perhaps their previous business model failed due to a flawed understanding of ratios.

Re:And the story goes on...

[symbolic]

Qwest has a long way to go before I'd consider it a "good" alternative. I'm aware of people who cannot use Qwest DSL because of line incompatiblity problems, stated incompatibilities with certain (well-known) ISPs, etc. Last I heard, Qwest has done little or nothing to resolve these issues. And when you consider the fine recently imposed for deceptive /fraudulent business practices, its current debt load, and what it paid its departing CEO for getting it where it is, you have a company that needs a serious overhaul.

Re:Broadband deployment

[merlyn]

"Look Robin, it's the Bat Signal! Commissioner Gordon needs our help!"

Competition

[PineHall]

Broadband could use some competition. I am living about 50 miles north of Denver in Loveland. There is DSL but I am not close enough. AT&T Broadband owns the cable franchise but they seem to have no interest in cable modems. Well they keep saying it is coming but I don't think so. The sad thing is 5+ miles up the road from in Fort Collins you can get cable modems from AT&T Broadband.

Please consider coming to Loveland, CO! I want Broadband!

Seems they have lost track of their goal...

[hendridm]

From the article:

> We want to provide broadband where the other guys can't."

The article also says:

> The company has just launched in Denver ... and plans to go back on the air in San Diego soon.

Were Denver and San Diego without broadband access all this time? And I thought Wisconsin was backwards... Next thing you know they'll set up shop in Palo Alto and Menlo Park. Moooo!