thats what i think of it. living in rural Virginia my provider is Embarq and every year they promise dsl is coming any month and very year it doesn't. the least they could do is be honest and tell me it's never gonna happen, the thing i hate most is being lied to.
they should have the money, right? didn't we as taxpayers throw money at the telcos in the 90's to get the whole country wired 10 years ago?
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Economics
You've run into a chicken-or-the-egg scenario. The people that are in rural areas that don't have broadband are the people that DON'T need it. If they did, they wouldn't be in rural areas that don't have it.
This article speaks to a generation that would crap their pants if their DVR broke. Typically when people move to the rural areas, their moving to GET AWAY from the denser population with the subtle poisons that it brings and perceive a lack of broadband access as nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
You can't outpace the economics. If enough people move out in the rural areas that want it, it will appear in one form or another. It will be more expensive until enough people subscribe to bring the cost per customer down, then it will become more reasonable. Wash, rinse, repeat.
The concept of treating it like a government-regulated utility doesn't even warrant intelligent debate. Do we really look back on typical governmental programs and think they were a smashing success that should be built upon? No way.
Say what?
You cannot bring economics into this discussion, when the Federal, state, and local governments themselves are pushing citizens to the internet for virtually ALL services. For example,state unemployment runs via the web, and all but a few physical offices remain (Missouri), federal and state services, taxes, etc., are all accessible via the web, and many companies are foregoing paper billing for on-line paying and penalizing those that still receive paper bills.
Are you going to suggest that people all go to the library for their internet services? With gas prices as they are, and telecommuting finally becoming a viable reality, everyone needs standard internet access at standard prices.
The internet is as necessary as electricity and water to Americans. Federal subsidizing of low density areas is necessary, just like mail service -- it is the new Postal Service.
Trust me, living in a rural area myself, 80% of my neighbors would kill for a so called "broadband" 7x24 connection -- and not satellite, which is incompatible with many applications (VPN, Citrix, VOIP, games, etc.), and is very expensive.
I live in the country by choice, but I moved here 10 years ago when the web was just something AOL pretended to offer. Now, it is a requirement, and sorry, but I'm not moving back to the city; I like it here away from people like you.
Tell you what...
...I live in the country and I would love to have broadband as would just about everyone else that lives here. I've heard many people say the same thing you did...we choose to live in rural areas so we don't want or need broadband. That is a silly comment to make...but...seeing as how people like you don't fully understand that you NEED those of us that live in rural areas I propose a solution. I think those of us that live here should stick a new tax on all the coal, wood, gas, oil, and yes even food products that come from our areas. If we put a 1% tax on everything that comes from here that goes out to the rest of the population we could easily pay for such things as broadband. Problem solved. We get the things that everyone else seems to think we don't want or need and the rest of you get the things you HAVE to have from us.
See...country folk are easy to get along with!
Embarq support
Hello Anonymous,
This is a message from Lamont with Embarq Customer Support. We are working hard to reach out to our customers that are not completely satisfied with our service and striving to improve our service with your help. I would like the opportunity to research your issue. I can check with our network planning team to see when or if service is planned for your area. I can submit a future letter form for you. Thirty days before the service is turned on in your area you will receive a letter letting you know that it will be available. Please reply to the following email address in an email or private message with your phone number and I will research your concerns. Thank you for using Embarq, your complete communications solution.
Lamont L.
Embarq Customer Support
For additional support please visit www.embarq.com/freetv or call 1-877-646-3282
Voice | Data | Internet | Wireless | Entertainment
Embarq support
Hello Anonymous,
This is a message from Lamont with Embarq Customer Support. We are working hard to reach out to our customers that are not completely satisfied with our service and striving to improve our service with your help. I would like the opportunity to research your issue. I can check with our network planning team to see when or if service is planned for your area. I can submit a future letter form for you. Thirty days before the service is turned on in your area you will receive a letter letting you know that it will be available. Please reply to the following email address in an email or private message with your phone number and I will research your concerns. Thank you for using Embarq, your complete communications solution.
Lamont L.
Embarq Customer Support
For additional support please visit www.embarq.com/freetv or call 1-877-646-3282
Voice | Data | Internet | Wireless | Entertainment
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