ISPs raise the price of the Internet Services
For years, there has been an intense debate over the increase in the prices of Internet Connections. All over the world, but specially inside the continental US.
On the IPSs side, the strongest argument is that a regular - so-called and such a misnomer - user, defined by someone whose daily use of Internet is reduced to a few Megabytes of data transfer, is paying the price of the "abusive" intensive users, which visit Youtube, TV Video Streaming and download tons of Gigabytes per day.
Based on that premise, the ISPs have tried to stop providing fully unlimited Internet Services, and the mechanisms to control the bandwidth use has been restrictive and abusive in certain cases. In fact, Time Warner Cable backed down last week from a plan to impose new fees on heavy users of its Road Runner Internet service.
On the other side, there are not only the intensive users of Internet Connections defending their rights, but also some experts of the market that point out to the need of making (by investing) the provision a more cost-effective and efficient business. Some even quote the real figures of the business, to let everyone know that the business is very stable and the investments are still failing the real needs.
What to do to improve the situation for both the ISPs and the Final Consumers of Internet Connections?
In the middle, there are some suggestions - mine and very eclectic in nature - that might help to turn the situation in a win-to-win between the consumers and the providers (ISPs).
1. Limit the speed, not the data transfer.
There are some situations in which it is possible for a carrier to prevent the excessive use of very high speed Internet services, replacing the service with a middle-class one. My French is not that good, but the general idea is that, f.i., a common user may access the 3G full service only until up to 4Gb of data transfer, ever afterwards, it might use the GSM network (slower).
2. Sign real, clear, non-updateable contracts.
There is nothing more annoying for a common user than to find that there was a small item in the terms of service that rules the possibility of the ISP changing the conditions of the service, whatever the reason it might be. And a reason such as the excessive use of the Internet Connection service is ridiculous to the eyes of the vast majority of the consumers.
3. Find a stable company (to serve as your ISP).
If you are an Internet User willing to enjoy the full capabilities of the connection you will purchase, then avoid signing a contract with a well-known bully. The Internet is full of reviews of the quality and provision of ISPs services, so make a wise pick, a well-informed one. The chances to involve in a quarrel with the ISP are higher when some other people have had one before.
4. Investment.
Some analysts consider that the ISP business - in general - is not investing enough to improve the quality (and price) of the service It is probably true, taking into consideration that in many other countries the service is far more stable and faster, and the prices paid by the consumers are indeed lower. In fact, JCom, the largest cable company in Japan, sells service as fast as 160 megabits per second for $60 a month, only $5 a month more than its slower service. Why so cheap? JCom faces more competition from other Internet providers than companies in the United States do.
As always, a restricted, manipulated market will never offer a better deal for the consumers.
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