[dippyskoodlez]

>Google Fiber, in markets where it's available, has led to competitors reducing prices and offering better service. However, there's no word of change regarding net neutrality.

As a KC resident, TWC has not yet reduced my internet costs or increased speeds.

[hayksaakian]

I'll say my only knowledge of this was anecdotal (from others)

I can say first hand, that if you call your ISP and say "I'm switching to X service at $Y for Zmbps" you can get your bill reduced.

[coldtea]

>I can say first hand, that if you call your ISP and say "I'm switching to X service at $Y for Zmbps" you can get your bill reduced.

Except if you're one of those millions that live in rural areas with only one ISP.

Or if the major ISPs in your area are complicit in keeping prices up and enjoy a pre-arranged share of the market each.

[hayksaakian]

Right.

Rural areas and complicit ISPs suck for internet service.

My statement only makes sense if you would actually go through with the threat if they didn't reduce your bill

[dippyskoodlez]

The only other option is U-verse which is more expensive for the same speed or they don't even offer the same speed. Calling the ISP and threatening them only works if you can find someone with the power to do so(and hope they don't note your account for trying it again, later..), and assumes they hold true to their word on your next bill.

I was primarily refuting your "causes isps to lower their prices" because Google fiber has done NOTHING for TWC's marketing. It's still the same terrible prices.

[hayksaakian]

(this is getting a little off topic)

The way customer service works (again in my experience) is that you'll go through several people before you get to someone who has the power to change your bill.

It's a needlessly involved process, but it is an option in some cases.

The original comment was regarding Google Fiber's effect on competitors. If you're in an area that can get their service, then you should be able to back up your threat.

Either google fiber is faster and cheaper than what you have now, or it's not and what you have now is better.

[dippyskoodlez]

I'm in the one section of KC that Google has yet to actually proliferate (probably some shady dealings with TWC and the council, but alas... no proof). TWC still offers the same terrible rates in the adjacent areas regardless of Gfiber actually being present. I'm pretty sure they just wrote off KC as an experiment and not indicitive of actual market importance. Coworkers with Gfiber have recieved no resistance from abandoning their previous ISP.

You would think the OP area of KC without Gfiber would be the one area trying to 'make nice' with people offering better service, discounts, and/or promises, but there is absolutely zero signs of 'competition' in the market.