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E-mail to the office of Lamar Smith, my "new" US Rep:
"http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2009/tc20090331_726397.htm
"Time Warner Cable Expands Internet Usage Pricing
The newly spun-off cable company will impose premium rates on big users of broadband in Web markets in Texas, New York, and North Carolina.
"In April, Time Warner Cable will begin collecting information on its customers' Internet use in the Texas cities of Austin and San Antonio and in Rochester, N.Y. Consumption billing will begin in those cities later this summer."
Time-Warner is making a mistake, and here's why --
This will toss many people back on the road, because this change already means many employers will no longer offer partial reimbursement to employees who are telecommuting from home. We're talking a much higher carbon footprint just when we should be getting cars off the road.
Also, this completely negates the convenience of my apartment complex offering second level cable to its renters, as part of their apartment rental fee. Even with this $40 paid, my Time-Warner bill is still $112.XX a month for low speed roadrunner, phone and Internet access. Since I am currently under-employed, this is a big bite out of my savings. I will start examining AT&T Internet/phone packages this week.
I should note that the idea of "competition" in cable services is a crock. In Tucson, AZ there are three cable providers. But they've carved up the area -- you must go with the company that controls the area of town you live in.
At one point, College Station/Bryan TX had real competition between two cable companies, and prices were enough for a profit but were not bleeding the customers dry. Then one company bought the other -- and the FCC did nothing. Now, their rates are so high I know computer professionals who only buy basic cable, or switched to satellite -- everything else is too big a hit to their budget.
Could you investigate this, Representative Smith? I am all for people being able to make money in their company, but like current credit card companies, their fees are ridiculous. Just as we should return to laws against usury if bankruptcy is difficult to file, we should also clip the monopoly of cable TV.
When I am working at my former higher level of salary, I'll be investigating Dish TV.
"http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/mar2009/tc20090331_726397.htm
"Time Warner Cable Expands Internet Usage Pricing
The newly spun-off cable company will impose premium rates on big users of broadband in Web markets in Texas, New York, and North Carolina.
"In April, Time Warner Cable will begin collecting information on its customers' Internet use in the Texas cities of Austin and San Antonio and in Rochester, N.Y. Consumption billing will begin in those cities later this summer."
Time-Warner is making a mistake, and here's why --
This will toss many people back on the road, because this change already means many employers will no longer offer partial reimbursement to employees who are telecommuting from home. We're talking a much higher carbon footprint just when we should be getting cars off the road.
Also, this completely negates the convenience of my apartment complex offering second level cable to its renters, as part of their apartment rental fee. Even with this $40 paid, my Time-Warner bill is still $112.XX a month for low speed roadrunner, phone and Internet access. Since I am currently under-employed, this is a big bite out of my savings. I will start examining AT&T Internet/phone packages this week.
I should note that the idea of "competition" in cable services is a crock. In Tucson, AZ there are three cable providers. But they've carved up the area -- you must go with the company that controls the area of town you live in.
At one point, College Station/Bryan TX had real competition between two cable companies, and prices were enough for a profit but were not bleeding the customers dry. Then one company bought the other -- and the FCC did nothing. Now, their rates are so high I know computer professionals who only buy basic cable, or switched to satellite -- everything else is too big a hit to their budget.
Could you investigate this, Representative Smith? I am all for people being able to make money in their company, but like current credit card companies, their fees are ridiculous. Just as we should return to laws against usury if bankruptcy is difficult to file, we should also clip the monopoly of cable TV.
When I am working at my former higher level of salary, I'll be investigating Dish TV.
