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The Telecom Industry Is Very Mad Because The FCC MIGHT Examine High Broadband Prices (www.techdirt.com)

submitted 11 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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The Telecom Industry Is Very Mad Because The FCC MIGHT Examine High Broadband Prices::We've long noted how the FCC (regardless of party) largely ignores how muted competition and monopolization drives up prices for consumers. The agency often talks a good (if ambiguous) game about "bridging the digital divide," but they don't collect and share pricing data proving market failure, nor are they capable of admitting monopolies exist and…

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[–] [email protected] 32 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (4 children)

Would it just not be better to manage all unavoidable charges to be included in the sticker price?

For everything, not just broadband.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 11 months ago (1 children)

So, it goes like this:

"WE only want to charge you $X! But here are the fees the government tacks on. For your benefit, we'll break those fees out local/state/federal. See? It's them fucking you, not us.

And because we're all being hit so unfairly, we're just passing it on, cost of doing business. And there's overhead to dealing with all that nonsense, tacking that on as well. And one more, because fuck you gonna do? Break down all this mess and point fingers?"

Enrages everyone, but deflects blame from the ISP. Perfect, ain't it?

Funny thing is, much of that bullshit talk is true! If they roll it up in a nice total, you don't what or why you're paying. And yes, many of those fees, especially the small ones, are government taxation. Taxation they have to account for, and someone has to pay.

OTOH, the "fuck you" charges are disingenuous. Those should be wrapped up in $X.

Only answer I got is to make ISPs quasi-government/private hybrids, and regulate them like the utilities they are in 2024.

I expect them to profit. I expect them to provide for investors. That's how corporations work. You bet your money, you expect a fair return, and much of our individual funds (retirement) get a tiny piece. They should have money in the bank to absorb future risk, unknown costs. That's OK!

But why the hell are basic services, and I now count telecom as "basic", allowed such wild profit margins?!

We had such a "quasi" deal with the regional power company, seemed to work great (and I admit ignorance on the details). Leadership was elected and accountable. Until it got bought out by a private firm and prices spiked 40%. How the fuck was that legal?!

(Sorry about the rant OP. I was in the game for some time, thought about this a lot.)

[–] [email protected] 2 points 11 months ago

Split out all the costs you want, itemize the bill, have at it. But if the sticker price says 45 dollah i want to be able to pay that and get what you offer. not have to take out the calculator and add stuff. I think there are to many americans obsessed with "big goberment stealing my moniez" .. who cares. If its in the price and the price is competitive I dont care that x% is tax. It will be the same on all competing products too.

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