On 04/12/2007 02:08 PM somebody named Peter Bradley wrote:
> Ysgrifennodd ken:
>> What do people outside the US pay for their internet connection and
>>
>> how fast is the connection?
>>
>>
>> If you have links to this info understandable by English/German reader,
>> that would be appreciated also.
>>
>>
>> tnx++
>>
>>
> I'm with Pipex in the UK. I pay about $35 per month. Maybe a bit more
> these days. It's the XtremeSolo package if you want to look it up.
> Unlimited. Speeds are good, although I can't quote any figures (i.e.
> they're good enough that I've never paid any attention)
>
> Why are you asking?
>
> ....
Major US broadband providers (BBPs) are claiming that they need more
flexible pricing policies in order to stay in business and to provide
higher bandwidths. These "more flexible pricing policies" would mean
that some protocols would cost more or be prohibited (e.g., VoIP*) and
that some customers (perhaps those who say the "wrong" things) would be
charged more than others for the same amount of bandwidth, effectively
throttling down 'inconvenient'** speech. One argument which needs to be
dispelled then is that inequitable pricing is required for US BBPs'
technical and economic viability. The information you have provided has
effectively done that. Thanks to all who replied.
While we're talking about it, I'd encourage US residents who would like
to save themselves a considerable pile of cash-- and help guarantee free
speech and free expression at the same time-- to get involved in the
issue of net neutrality. Feel free to contact me offlist for details.
*The purpose in prohibiting VoIP (or video or sound) would be so that it
can be sold as a separate service (on the same bandwidth), this so BBPs,
not customers, could reap the benefits of convergence.
**It's not inconceivable that, for some big economic players, or at
least one, Linux might be considered undesirable.
--
"Genius might be described as a supreme capacity for getting its
possessors into trouble of all kinds."
-- Samuel Butler
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