Slashdot Mirror
Comcast Won't Give New Speed Boost To Internet Users Who Don't Buy TV Service (arstechnica.com)
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Ars Technica: Last week, Comcast announced speed increases for customers in Houston and the Oregon/SW Washington areas. The announcement headlines were "Comcast increases Internet speeds for some video customers." Customers with 60Mbps Internet download speeds are being upped to 150Mbps; 150Mbps subscribers are going to 250Mbps; and 250Mbps subscribers are getting a raise to 400Mbps or 1Gbps. Comcast says speed increases will kick in automatically without raising the customers' monthly bills -- but only if they subscribe to certain bundles that include both Internet and TV service.
"Cord cutters are not invited to the [speed increase] party," the Houston Chronicle wrote. "Only those who bundle Internet with cable television and other services... will see their speeds go up at no extra charge." Presumably, Internet-only customers can get the new speeds by paying more or by bundling their Internet subscriptions with video.
"Cord cutters are not invited to the [speed increase] party," the Houston Chronicle wrote. "Only those who bundle Internet with cable television and other services... will see their speeds go up at no extra charge." Presumably, Internet-only customers can get the new speeds by paying more or by bundling their Internet subscriptions with video.
I suppose you're outraged that if you go to Carl's Jr and get the burger combo, the soda is way cheaper than if you bought them separately. Your head is too far up your ass to understand the way business works apparently. They aren't there to provide you with charity high speed internet - if they can't make money on it, they aren't going to fucking do it. You might think you're doing something clever and magical by cutting the cord and streaming your entertainment, but if doing so reduces their margins they can and will adjust pricing and packages to bring that back into line. Period, full stop, whine elsewhere please.
People here are already apoplectic that some people are getting free shit and not everyone is getting free shit.
"Free"? In what universe is paying several hundred dollars more for a service you don't need free?
Not to mention that this is potentially a violation of anti trust bundling laws.
Where I live, my ISP doesn't force me to buy the cable service.
But if I bundle Cable + Internet they give me a 50% discount. Cable only is $40. Internet only is $40 (50/6). Cable + internet is $80 with a 50% discount...