I’m sorry, but some of this baffles me. If you are unhappy with any internet service, Stop Using It.Stop Subscribing to It.Stop Patronizing It. You know, like in the old days, when you refused to shop in a certain brick and mortar store. I realize there are practices that should be investigated and security to be shored up. But as a consumer, use your power. Just stop your whining when you’re unhappy and do something.
Qwest Communications was a phone and Internet provider in several western states. My mother used them and loved their services. Qwest CEO testified that the NSA started demanding phone records BEFORE 9/11, he recalled that it was as early as February 2001. Qwest refused to turn over the records while the other service providers complied. Any government contracts were cancelled and they ended being acquired by another company.
The companies listed are monopolies. There are laws that should be enforced that would allow more competition and choices.
There’s a well understood situation in High Tech. There’s no possible way to become a giant in this arena, starting now: The giants will let “competitors” try something new and if it succeeds, one of them will buy either the company or the process. The only way to make it big is to get a good price when selling out.
This is good for the oligarchs, the occasional entrepreneur and the folks who own stock in Apple, Microsoft, et. al. It is not good for all the rest of us.
PS: Absence of net neutrality makes this worse: You cannot even get customers if they cannot see your offer because you cannot afford to give them fast access to .your website until you already have customers…
Baslim the Beggar Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Given that Amazon’s HQ is in Seattle, I count this as a fail.
Zebrastripes almost 5 years ago
All being investigated….good! While they’re at it, how about trump, gop congress, etc etc….
Radish the wordsmith almost 5 years ago
the valley is where the real people live
Bookworm almost 5 years ago
I’m sorry, but some of this baffles me. If you are unhappy with any internet service, Stop Using It. Stop Subscribing to It. Stop Patronizing It. You know, like in the old days, when you refused to shop in a certain brick and mortar store. I realize there are practices that should be investigated and security to be shored up. But as a consumer, use your power. Just stop your whining when you’re unhappy and do something.
Nantucket Premium Member almost 5 years ago
Qwest Communications was a phone and Internet provider in several western states. My mother used them and loved their services. Qwest CEO testified that the NSA started demanding phone records BEFORE 9/11, he recalled that it was as early as February 2001. Qwest refused to turn over the records while the other service providers complied. Any government contracts were cancelled and they ended being acquired by another company.
The companies listed are monopolies. There are laws that should be enforced that would allow more competition and choices.
Concretionist almost 5 years ago
There’s a well understood situation in High Tech. There’s no possible way to become a giant in this arena, starting now: The giants will let “competitors” try something new and if it succeeds, one of them will buy either the company or the process. The only way to make it big is to get a good price when selling out.
This is good for the oligarchs, the occasional entrepreneur and the folks who own stock in Apple, Microsoft, et. al. It is not good for all the rest of us.
PS: Absence of net neutrality makes this worse: You cannot even get customers if they cannot see your offer because you cannot afford to give them fast access to .your website until you already have customers…