RCN vs Comcast

[mrwrench.livejournal.com]

Hi all. Long-time listener, first-time caller.

I am moving to Davis Sq next month and am in the process of setting up my utilities.

Wondering if anyone has any insight into RCN vs Comcast for phone/cable/internet.

I saw some scattered posts on this topic in the archive, but none too recently.

Any help would be appreciated.

Comments

Re: RCN NOW Sucks!

[elements.livejournal.com]

Verizon wants to bring in FIOS, but only if they only have to wire the well-off areas of Somerville. Since that's against our laws (and for good reason) Somerville won't give them a waiver. Of course with the speed of gentrification you'd think they'd realize even our poorer areas are still candidates for interest in another option.

Re: RCN NOW Sucks!

[m00n.livejournal.com]

Have they really been so brazenly open about their intentions here? I know they've kind of been doing that covertly across the country all along, but I had no idea they'd actually made it their stated intention.

Re: RCN NOW Sucks!

[jovianconsensus.livejournal.com]

No, Verizon has always denied that, although the cable companies accuse them of it every time it comes up. Verizon says the problem is that the process takes too long and has to be started again with each municipality. They'd prefer one set of rules at the state or federal level.

Here's an old NPR story about it. (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5632648) The bill died in Congress, although I believe similar bills have passed in some states (not Massachusetts).

Re: RCN NOW Sucks!

[warlord-mit.livejournal.com]

There was an NPR where Vz claimed that Somerville didn't want Fios, but Mayor Curtatone was on too and publically asked Vz to come to the table to talk to the city, and that yes, indeed, Somerville was interested.

Personally, I think that Vz just doesn't want to HAVE to negotiate with each municipality because they lose their bargaining power.