Google Fiber plans expansion, then TWC makes speeds six times faster

Charlotte customers get big speed boost for same price after Google announcement.

Read the whole story

 

[mlewis]

Bongle[/url]":2s69qduc]

thnkfrsttypscnd[/url]":2s69qduc]Cable companies have acknowledged that they colude to not overbuild into the terriroies of one another. With ever increasing evidence that overbuilding, and thereby competion, results in better service for customers one wonders why the US DOJ doesn't start an antitrust lawsuit against the cable companies.

This behaviour doesn't even need collusion.

If you're in city A and your competitor is in city B, there's nearly-zero incentive for you to expand. Both of you can extract monopoly prices from your cities indefinitely. But if you expand into City B, your competitor can cut prices or increase speeds (exactly like what we're seeing here) to make the return on your capital investment too low to be worth it. Much better to just stay put and gouge the residents of City A.

The only reason this works for google is that their goal is not to get a return on the fibre-laying capital like a cable company does, but rather to make internet access in the US less painful so they can sell more ads with their other businesses. As we can see, they get a bit of a force-multiplier effect: they can come in, and all of a sudden an entire city gets better non-google service.

Which is why you need local loop unbundling like the real world has.

 

[True North]

Hmmmmm offering 6x better speed

wonder if that comes with 6x better customer service?

 

[DyDx]

Thereitis[/url]":3p3dngt3]

pasmith[/url]":3p3dngt3]Dear TWC, Google Fiber is coming to Raleigh-Durham, too!

We actually did get an email announcing that TWC was going "all digital" by June 1st and that it would allow for higher Internet speeds, but no notification of free upgrades.

What all digital means is that you'll need a converter box for every TV in your house. With the requisite monthly rental fee, of course.

I'm prettttty sure the switch to all-digital happened years ago? Or am I thinking of something that only applies to broadcast channels?

 

[Sorcerer86pt]

ragoff[/url]":18kp64sp]More proof: technology isn't the limiting factor.

technology not even once was the limiting factor. Greed always was, is and will be the limiting factor.

 

[Greho]

Doesn't this mean that TWC will have to deliver new DOCSIS 3.1 modems?

Or, that you have to buy a new one yourself?

Hardly "free."

 

[smitty825]

TWC's "Ultimate" Internet starts at $65 a month and has 50Mbps download speeds and 5Mbps upload. TWC did not say what it will boost upload speeds to.

This is part of TWC's "MAXX" upgrade that they have going on. These upgrades are live in several cities (Austin, LA, Kansas City, plus possibly more) The upload speeds are capped at 20mbps for the top 2 tiers (200/20 & 300/20), but to get the highest download & upload speeds, you need a modem that can bond 16 channels on the downstream. (I *think* there is only one...the Arris 6183). Otherwise, you'll be limited to the 100/10 package (if you can bond 8 channels) or the 50/5 (if you can only bond 4)

 

[Synitare]

It's almost like the internet speed caps are completely arbitrary and exist only to maintain their 90%+ profit margins. Who knew?

 

[PRMan]

haar[/url]":247sjr26]Interesting ... These companies do NOT. want to be "the best that you can be" unless something is going to be taken away... (So the threat of competition is needed...)

Too bad the US government can not secretly fund Google's expansion plans to get better Internet into the US... (Blank check for google so that the cable companies get a "kick in the butt" or "light a fire under them" to get better internet out there)

Would never happen because it will be mired in the Congress, even if this is what the FCC wants for the internet in the USA.

Time Warner just raised my service from 100 to 300. There's no competition here, they just keep making it faster.

 

[beebee]

edgedev[/url]":joktuh9x]I love how companies that claimed that they were already at their top "competitive" speeds for their pricing all of the sudden Google rolls in and they just happen to find more speeds.

It's not like they only had certain types of crappy paper towels in stock and then just happen to run into a full truck-load supply of Bounty paper towels in the warehouse. It doesn't work that way. They've had the power all along to provide quality internet service for a moderate price but failed to do so because they didn't have any competition. This is why this industry needs to be overhauled and standardized. I hope Google Fiber makes its way throughout the country fast, so it brings America into the 21st Century.

Except I don't believe they have that much excess capacity. Expect "up to" speeds not to happen and be lucky if you get the minimum.

 

[djw39]

Theinsanegamer[/url]":1r2njs6w]

zolakjhs[/url]":1r2njs6w]Ultimate for $65? I was quoted a price of $85 for extreme (one level lower) in Raleigh if I didn't also sign up for (keep) TV service ... are you sure about these prices or were you quoted something promotional?

$65 for 50Mbps is their price for no contract internet. on contract price may be higher, or it may be because you were getting rid of tv on a contract. ymmv.

...hold on.
Current internet retail rates in Charlotte are
57.99 Standard 15/1
67.99 Turbo 20/2
77.99 Extreme 30/5
107.99 Ultimate 50/5
Any prices you are seeing which are lower than these are an introductory promotion, probably 12 months.
[There are also 2/1 and 3/1 tiers which nobody should be bothering with.]
http://www.timewarnercable.com/content/ ... -CR-RC.pdf
Every plan also has an 8.00 modem lease fee unless you purchase your own modem.
After the upgrades the speeds go up to 50/5, 100/10, 200/20, 300/20 at no additional charge.

 

[TheStof]

That's gotta be one satisfying phone call to make when you cancel. Finally having a choice and taking it and no matter how much they plead with you, you drop them, because you know the only reason they are trying is because there is finally competition.

 

[gizmotoy]

You have to wonder what Google thinks of all of this. One of their stated intents is to get the existing ISPs to stop screwing us and offer faster speeds at lower prices. But then, predictably, the existing ISPs only make those concessions in the markets that Google explicitly enters. I suppose that's better than nothing, but it does seem less than what Google hoped for. It seems pretty unlikely that they have plans for full nationwide coverage, and the ISPs don't appear to be receptive to being shamed into providing better service.

 

[Bhornet]

fryhole[/url]":1hlktjl9]

Thereitis[/url]":1hlktjl9]

pasmith[/url]":1hlktjl9]Dear TWC, Google Fiber is coming to Raleigh-Durham, too!

We actually did get an email announcing that TWC was going "all digital" by June 1st and that it would allow for higher Internet speeds, but no notification of free upgrades.

What all digital means is that you'll need a converter box for every TV in your house. With the requisite monthly rental fee, of course.

You ONLY need a digital converter box if your TV still has a Cathode Ray Tube stuck in the middle. If you have any sort of flat panel (thin) TV most likely you don't need to waste money on renting one of those damned boxes. UNless you just want 5000 channels of nothing.

Unless your provider encrypts the signal, like Comcast. No box, no TV.

 

[DarthSlack]

PRMan[/url]":3so2wbz2]

haar[/url]":3so2wbz2]Interesting ... These companies do NOT. want to be "the best that you can be" unless something is going to be taken away... (So the threat of competition is needed...)

Too bad the US government can not secretly fund Google's expansion plans to get better Internet into the US... (Blank check for google so that the cable companies get a "kick in the butt" or "light a fire under them" to get better internet out there)

Would never happen because it will be mired in the Congress, even if this is what the FCC wants for the internet in the USA.

Time Warner just raised my service from 100 to 300. There's no competition here, they just keep making it faster.

Just think what they would do if they had a competitor breathing down their neck.

 

[jb510]

More evidence that incumbent operators could easily offer far better service at the same or lower cost then they currently do.

It seems clear to me that they hold down performance solely so that they can justify thier inflated costs for longer. It's a clear long term strategy. "Oh look were giving you more speed, you just have to keep paying $70/m. We could have given you more speed two years ago but you'd have down graded to a cheaper plan. Well keep inching you up slowly so your never downgrade"

They are expertly navigating the supply and demand curve to maximize thier profits. The problem being that as a monopoly they're screwing everyone in the deal completely unchecked.

Here's hoping yet another clear example of this not only puts a nail in the merger coffin, but backdrafts and we all start talking about breaking get up these beastly monopolies.

 

[shav]

This same speed increase came in my area almost a year ago. I live in LA where Google has no plans to build their fiber network. TWC is upgrading to DOCSIS 3.0 which is the reason for the speed upgrade. Google Fiber coming to that area might have moved up their plans to upgrade that area but I don't think it's the soul reason for the upgrade.

Edit: Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

 

[ewelch]

This is what cable operators fear from community and other competitive sources of Internet connectivity. Having to actually treat customers well!

 

[Iphtashu Fitz]

fellow_traveler[/url]":xyhpzvqi]Google should wait until TWC has rolled out the increased speeds, then say, "Sorry, we changed our minds about wiring Charlotte."

If they did then I'm sure TWC would suddenly jack up their prices for the gigabit service to absurd levels.

 

[ewelch]

fryhole[/url]":15x52zjd]

Thereitis[/url]":15x52zjd]

pasmith[/url]":15x52zjd]Dear TWC, Google Fiber is coming to Raleigh-Durham, too!

We actually did get an email announcing that TWC was going "all digital" by June 1st and that it would allow for higher Internet speeds, but no notification of free upgrades.

What all digital means is that you'll need a converter box for every TV in your house. With the requisite monthly rental fee, of course.

You ONLY need a digital converter box if your TV still has a Cathode Ray Tube stuck in the middle. If you have any sort of flat panel (thin) TV most likely you don't need to waste money on renting one of those damned boxes. UNless you just want 5000 channels of nothing.

Incorrect. If you have a TiVO, or anything else that requires a cable card, you have to have a box, and that ALWAYS leads to trouble.

 

[pasmith]

Thereitis[/url]":34blnt9h]

pasmith[/url]":34blnt9h]Dear TWC, Google Fiber is coming to Raleigh-Durham, too!

We actually did get an email announcing that TWC was going "all digital" by June 1st and that it would allow for higher Internet speeds, but no notification of free upgrades.

What all digital means is that you'll need a converter box for every TV in your house. With the requisite monthly rental fee, of course.

To be fair to TWC (even though I hate them) they're giving us the converters for free for the first year and telling us up front that they'll be $2.75/month after that. That's a huge leap in 'transparency' from this company actually. I was pretty surprised they told us of the fee ahead of time.

 

[NetworkElf]

I'm excited to read this since I'm planning to relocate to the Charlotte area in the next few months. Now I can add "must be serviced by Google fiber" to my list of "must haves" for the real estate agent.

 

[iamwhoiam]

snowman<ca>[/url]":2zdtdxe1]

ragoff[/url]":2zdtdxe1]More proof: technology isn't the limiting factor.

Patterns of behavior like this pretty much ought to cause either an FTC or FCC investigation but it is not like this is unknown.

No. It should spur a DOJ investigation for antitrust followed by a breakup.

 

[pasmith]

For folks talking about the "all digital" thing, here's what the mail they sent says:

"Time Warner Cable is going All-Digital beginning May 5, 2015. We're excited to announce that we're going All-Digital, so you'll soon be able to enjoy better picture and sound quality. When this transition is complete, we'll also be delivering faster Internet and more reliability."

"You may need this pocket-sized Adapter to view your All-Digital signal."

"You do not need to take action if all your TV's have digital equipment: (e.g. a Digital Set-Top Box, Retail CableCard device or a Digital Adapter) -- you will automatically receive this improved experience."

"You'll only be affected if your cable line is plugged directly into your TV, VCR or DVD recorder: For each of these televisions you will need to order a Digital Set-Top Box or Digital Adapter to avoid losing your picture."

"Adapters are free of charge to customers through June 30, 2016. (Beginning on July 1, 2016, each Adapter will be billed at the prevailing rate, currently $2.75/month)."

 

[Hack-n-Slash]

iamwhoiam[/url]":1lt4vya0]

snowman<ca>[/url]":1lt4vya0]

ragoff[/url]":1lt4vya0]More proof: technology isn't the limiting factor.

Patterns of behavior like this pretty much ought to cause either an FTC or FCC investigation but it is not like this is unknown.

No. It should spur a DOJ investigation for antitrust followed by a breakup.

That doesn't work.

 

[Essense]

I'm in San Antonio, the same service is offered here and they have no competition. No one is even close to their speed. For all you conspiracy theorist out there

Making a story were there is not one.... Just a sensational headline. I been noticing more of this from ars lately.

 

[noanoxan]

pasmith[/url]":3r8kfdrb]Dear TWC, Google Fiber is coming to Raleigh-Durham, too!

We actually did get an email announcing that TWC was going "all digital" by June 1st and that it would allow for higher Internet speeds, but no notification of free upgrades.

Off topic, but "all digital?"

I'm not the smartest, but isn't the internet digital already? Is there some analog method of accessing the Internet that I'm not aware of?

I'm not trying to insult you, I'm wondering if that's actually what TWC said, because if so, I want them to show me their current analog method of distributing internet access.

 

[iamwhoiam]

Hack-n-Slash[/url]":v01dly9l]

iamwhoiam[/url]":v01dly9l]

snowman<ca>[/url]":v01dly9l]

ragoff[/url]":v01dly9l]More proof: technology isn't the limiting factor.

Patterns of behavior like this pretty much ought to cause either an FTC or FCC investigation but it is not like this is unknown.

No. It should spur a DOJ investigation for antitrust followed by a breakup.

That doesn't work.

It would if they mandate there's no possibility of of future mergers.

 

[PRMan]

shav[/url]":16jdn54n]This same speed increase came in my area almost a year ago. I live in LA where Google has no plans to build their fiber network. TWC is upgrading to DOCSIS 3.0 which is the reason for the speed upgrade. Google Fiber coming to that area might have moved up their plans to upgrade that area but I don't think it's the soul reason for the upgrade.

Edit: Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

Apparently, living in LA and telling the truth (that casts question on the article) gets you a downvote.

 

[Z1ggy]

Hack-n-Slash[/url]":3jeai330]

iamwhoiam[/url]":3jeai330]

snowman<ca>[/url]":3jeai330]

ragoff[/url]":3jeai330]More proof: technology isn't the limiting factor.

Patterns of behavior like this pretty much ought to cause either an FTC or FCC investigation but it is not like this is unknown.

No. It should spur a DOJ investigation for antitrust followed by a breakup.

That doesn't work.

oh come on, they went from 1 company to 3 companies.

/works as intended. /s

 

[pasmith]

noanoxan[/url]":1zrcjufx]

pasmith[/url]":1zrcjufx]Dear TWC, Google Fiber is coming to Raleigh-Durham, too!

We actually did get an email announcing that TWC was going "all digital" by June 1st and that it would allow for higher Internet speeds, but no notification of free upgrades.

Off topic, but "all digital?"

I'm not the smartest, but isn't the internet digital already? Is there some analog method of accessing the Internet that I'm not aware of?

I'm not trying to insult you, I'm wondering if that's actually what TWC said, because if so, I want them to show me their current analog method of distributing internet access.

Not all digital. All Digital!

I'm just saying what TWC is saying.

 

[memphisbob]

Google is the only company bringing competition to broadband. I would go with them (if I were ever so lucky) for that reason alone.

 

[iampanis]

noanoxan[/url]":1656x5iv]

pasmith[/url]":1656x5iv]Dear TWC, Google Fiber is coming to Raleigh-Durham, too!

We actually did get an email announcing that TWC was going "all digital" by June 1st and that it would allow for higher Internet speeds, but no notification of free upgrades.

Off topic, but "all digital?"

I'm not the smartest, but isn't the internet digital already? Is there some analog method of accessing the Internet that I'm not aware of?

I'm not trying to insult you, I'm wondering if that's actually what TWC said, because if so, I want them to show me their current analog method of distributing internet access.

They're referring to the TV service. Presumably switching the TV over to digital reduces its bandwidth utilization, leaving more for the internet service carried over the same cables.

 

[shav]

PRMan[/url]":2ia9ugw8]

shav[/url]":2ia9ugw8]This same speed increase came in my area almost a year ago. I live in LA where Google has no plans to build their fiber network. TWC is upgrading to DOCSIS 3.0 which is the reason for the speed upgrade. Google Fiber coming to that area might have moved up their plans to upgrade that area but I don't think it's the soul reason for the upgrade.

Edit: Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

Apparently, living in LA and telling the truth (that casts question on the article) gets you a downvote.

Any comment not bashing TWC/Comcast/Verizon etc. in these comment threads gets a downvote. Heaven forbid any critical analysis of the article actually happens. Personally if I'm going to downvote I reply if my viewpoint hasn't already been stated.

I'm reminded of an article (I think here on Ars) about FB learning that groups of people love to homogenize on topics. Guess its no different here.

 

[Z1ggy]

PRMan[/url]":ciopp7ny]

shav[/url]":ciopp7ny]This same speed increase came in my area almost a year ago. I live in LA where Google has no plans to build their fiber network. TWC is upgrading to DOCSIS 3.0 which is the reason for the speed upgrade. Google Fiber coming to that area might have moved up their plans to upgrade that area but I don't think it's the soul reason for the upgrade.

Edit: Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

Apparently, living in LA and telling the truth (that casts question on the article) gets you a downvote.

well according to this.
http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/about ... a-nyc.html

Back in april of last year, they were servicing

The network and Internet speed upgrades will soon come to the LA areas of Covina, Cypress, Hoover, Crenshaw District and Jefferson Park, and to upper Manhattan and additional neighborhoods in Queens and Staten Island in New York City. By the end of June, TWC will be delivering the new, faster speed plans to more than 200,000 customers.

so by the end of 2014 they said

By year-end, it will be available throughout the entire LA market.

so as of DEC 2014, did they have the entire LA market done?

or did they only have the 5 districts?

My bet is on the 5 districts.

 

[BigAssRat]

fryhole[/url]":21rdffta]

Thereitis[/url]":21rdffta]

pasmith[/url]":21rdffta]Dear TWC, Google Fiber is coming to Raleigh-Durham, too!

We actually did get an email announcing that TWC was going "all digital" by June 1st and that it would allow for higher Internet speeds, but no notification of free upgrades.

What all digital means is that you'll need a converter box for every TV in your house. With the requisite monthly rental fee, of course.

You ONLY need a digital converter box if your TV still has a Cathode Ray Tube stuck in the middle. If you have any sort of flat panel (thin) TV most likely you don't need to waste money on renting one of those damned boxes. UNless you just want 5000 channels of nothing.

Untrue. Comcast in my area started encrypting pretty much everything, requiring a 2 or 3 dollar rental for each TV, instead of just using the unencrypted QAM they had been using for years for capable TV's. This was the tipping point for me switching to DirecTV.

 

[heartburnkid]

Rous100[/url]":225ls0pb]If you never want Google Fiber in your neighborhood, keep advocating for more aggressive net neutrality regulation from the FCC. By contrast, I predict Google would respond to the FCC back pedaling from its net neutrality stance by announcing its most aggressive fiber expansion plans yet.

Now, commence the down votes to try to smother a dissenting opinion that doesn't conform to tech start-up groupthink.

Except Google is in favor of Net Neutrality, and has stated that Title II may actually help speed deployment of Google Fiber.

But please, don't let facts get in the way of your FUD and martyr complex.

 

[shav]

Z1ggy[/url]":6v5xnoqn]

PRMan[/url]":6v5xnoqn]

shav[/url]":6v5xnoqn]This same speed increase came in my area almost a year ago. I live in LA where Google has no plans to build their fiber network. TWC is upgrading to DOCSIS 3.0 which is the reason for the speed upgrade. Google Fiber coming to that area might have moved up their plans to upgrade that area but I don't think it's the soul reason for the upgrade.

Edit: Post hoc ergo propter hoc.

Apparently, living in LA and telling the truth (that casts question on the article) gets you a downvote.

well according to this.
http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/about ... a-nyc.html

Back in april of last year, they were servicing

The network and Internet speed upgrades will soon come to the LA areas of Covina, Cypress, Hoover, Crenshaw District and Jefferson Park, and to upper Manhattan and additional neighborhoods in Queens and Staten Island in New York City. By the end of June, TWC will be delivering the new, faster speed plans to more than 200,000 customers.

so by the end of 2014 they said

By year-end, it will be available throughout the entire LA market.

so as of DEC 2014, did they have the entire LA market done?

or did they only have the 5 districts?

My bet is on the 5 districts.

All of LA or just 5 districts, what's the difference. Google Fiber still isn't coming here. I'd like to see everywhere that TWC has rolled out this upgrade and the dates they announced the upgrade. Then compare that to Google Fiber rollouts and announcements. If you can find strong correlation then maybe there's causation but that's still a maybe and not definitive proof.

 

[yd]

Google, please please please come to Hong Kong!

Admittedly I am in the sticks so would still get hooped but one can dream of a fast internet.

 

[UnnDunn]

Sarge Misfit[/url]":5wie9ge7]So much for Title II stifling investment

Title II isn't in effect yet.

I get your point though.