Far East Cynic

This is why I support net neutrality…

Because companies should not tell you how much data you can use.

I consider myself virtually addicted to my iPhone. I obsessively check my e-mail on it (4 accounts!); I listen to streaming music as I type on my computer at work; I surf the Internet fairly often; and I’ve got dozens of data-driven apps. Unlimted data for a fee seemed like a good deal. Now the cocksuckers folks at ATT have the balls to restrict how much data you can get in a month.

AT&T*, the U.S. smartphone leader, today introduced new wireless data plans that make it more affordable for more people to enjoy the benefits of the mobile Internet. Customers can pick the new data plan that best meets their needs – either a $15 per month entry plan or a $25 per month plan with 10 times more data. Current smartphone customers are not required to switch to the new plans, but can choose to do so without a contract extension.

Well, thank God for that. And please don’t call me a “data hog”. That’s exactly the point.  I’m paying for them to provide the service-its up to me how much I use it. I worry that the next step will be ISP’s wanting to penalize users like me who like to download high quality movies with quality graphics. ISP’s and cable providers are fighting to be able to ration data-at exactly the same time is moving to make more and more data stored out there in the “cloud”.

And that’s why the FCC should have authority to regulate companies like AT&T and enforce net neutrality.

  1. Um, I don’t think that’s what net neutrality is about. As I see it you paid fee for service to a company that in turn is moving its/your bytes over other peoples fiber optics and demanding that other people’s fiber needs to be more open and support your and your ISPs claim to the infrastructure they didn’t build, didn’t pay for and don’t own. I know you’re cool with taking other people’s stuff so that probably doesn’t bother you. Stealing is stealing though. AT&T got caught in the cleft stick of their own making. Another option might be to open up the damned devices to all ISPs…..fair?

    But still, if stealing is good enough for you, by all means, agitate for more thieving. It’s not like any investors in this country have any reasonable right of expectation on return on investment, just like Chrysler and shit. Screw ’em.

  2. Curtis,

    The issue is- when I buy internet service I am paying for the size of the “pipe”. Not how much water goes through it. Now the bastards at the ISP’s are trying to indirectly regulate the content you receive by controling the volume you recieve and that is wrong.

  3. And perhaps you noticed yesterday that AT&T has unilaterally abandoned their ISP net and declared that if any future buyers of Apple products want a huge throughput then they can just pay for it. No more unlimited data at a fixed price.

    Net neutrality is like telling doctors that they will, in future, work at fixed prices set by the government even if that means they operate at a net loss. KIND OF FUCKING STUPID.

    Still, your world.

  4. But Curtis, by rationing data, AT&T is destroying the real utlity of the I-PAD. The whole idea is to be able to go back and forth between various APPS and surf, write, and communicate. Its not like they were not making money the old way-and when I came over seas this week I had pay additional money to have the ability to use my I-phone the way I should.

    It does not cost AT&T any extra money to provide the additional service. It is nothing but sheer greed on their part.

  5. Skippy-San,

    Not really greed, as greedy as they are…..no. This is kind of what I was referring to wrt you nonsense on net neutrality. AT&T was FORCED to pay for the network of others that they did not own. That was a surcharge to them and thus to you.

    Is that greed or is it free loading?

    Curtis