urbanMSP

And can I get CL IPTV over my USI Fiber? Probably not but there shouldn't be any technical reason preventing it, right?

I'm still looking for a relatively inexpensive way to watch the 1-2 shows I like that aren't on OTA. Plus I would really like to watch Twins and TWolves games again.

It's still more than I'll pay for TV, but there's now Sling TV which is a Cable-Over-IP operator.

Field... so close to Hale!

CL was stringing fiber in our alley a couple weeks back.

I just had to shake my head and chuckle. People would be fools to get that service in the Wedge. Why did CL even bother?

Why did CL even bother?

Prism TV service I would guess.

Why did CL even bother?

Prism TV service I would guess.

So Prism is only available over their fiber? I suppose that makes sense to someone.

Just looked at the Prism offerings. I pay extra for HD?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Does that involve paying money to watch TV? Rather than getting it for free through a precise array of wire elements?

Seeing as we're weeks ahead of normal -- snow is all gone and ground is nearly thawed -- any chance USI can start installing fiber sooner?

Ahh, Bancroft. How about a little further east to Standish! Guess I'll hope for 2016.

See you in 2016

I can't wait!

http://www.mprnews.org/story/2015/03/16 ... OGEN_VALUE_

No disrespect to CM Glidden, but she is just dead wrong on two counts with regards to this whole "They should have to serve the whole city" thing

1. CenturyLink making a new service available in Uptown today doesn't hurt anyone in North Minneapolis. They'll be the same off as they were yesterday...their services have not changed.

2. Let's just not make any "equity"-themed arguments around cable television service, which is a LUXURY, period. If there's any equity/economic lesson in any of this, it's that poor people should not f**king have cable (or satellite) television services. Good grief.

Having competition is precisely the sort of thing that could (at least theoretically) make cable television less of a luxury good.

Is $13 a month really a luxury?

Is $13 a month really a luxury?

Not when people are paying $50 for cellphone service.

Is $13 a month really a luxury?

C'mon dude. I obviously meant CABLE cable, Not just the basic channels via cable service (instead of free antenna). I'm talking about actual cable services that are $40+/month.


Anecdote: When I last paid for it (in order to get the bundle discount on internet), Comcast's charge for just the basic channels in Minneapolis was into the upper teens. It actually cost more than the $10 discount I was getting on internet so I dropped it. Back in St. Paul not that many years ago, I was paying like $7 for the basics I think, so it was worth it for the bundle discount on internet.

More on this issue from MinnPost: http://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy ... le-competi

2. Let's just not make any "equity"-themed arguments around cable television service, which is a LUXURY, period. If there's any equity/economic lesson in any of this, it's that poor people should not f**king have cable (or satellite) television services. Good grief.

Equity is about more than economic position.

This is as much a geographical issue as it is an economic one.

In 2015, it seems ridiculous that we're hung up on how people receive proprietary pay TV services over an internet pipe. So, we regulate proprietary live-video-over-IP technology for CenturyLink but we don't regulate the same technology if provided by a third party?

It would make much more sense to focus on things that actually matter for equity. Ensuring fast internet is available at reasonable speeds by multiple providers at every residence in the city. Ensuring that Internet providers with franchises are not interfering with third party service providers that may compete with their proprietary services. Ensuring that city government, local institutions, and the public have the tools and resources available to leverage modern internet-based media for public interest and affinity purposes (similar to how in the 70s/80s, CATV franchise fees partially funded public access studios and channels).

The only reasonable thing I'd advocate here is a requirement that franchisees charge uniform rates across the city, regardless of competitors' options. Thus, if CL operates cable television in half the city and Comcast lowers their price 25% to compete, that price should be available for all in the city even if they don't have access to CL cable.

The only reasonable thing I'd advocate here is a requirement that franchisees charge uniform rates across the city, regardless of competitors' options. Thus, if CL operates cable television in half the city and Comcast lowers their price 25% to compete, that price should be available for all in the city even if they don't have access to CL cable.

I think this would be my only concern with regards to a partial-city rollout - that a place like Comcast would offer lower rates for those areas that have competition while keeping prices the same or raising them in areas that don't have competition.

I have to wonder if it's already happening in regards to internet. Plenty of areas in the city have limited competition, such as no USI fiber access.

It's not just the upfront price, but also the cost of renewal/trial period expiration. As documented above, the Comcast people will usually give you a better deal if you threaten cancellation.

2. Let's just not make any "equity"-themed arguments around cable television service, which is a LUXURY, period. If there's any equity/economic lesson in any of this, it's that poor people should not f**king have cable (or satellite) television services. Good grief.

Equity is about more than economic position.

This is as much a geographical issue as it is an economic one.

Would agree with twincitizen that expecting everyone to have top-notch cable or Internet services is a bit much, but I guess I would throw out (if you look back at this whole thread) that clearly, certain types of 'o folks who can afford it would very much prefer to have them, and so if you think about only rolling it out to parts of the city, that's adding another strike to certain areas that could use more higher-income residents. Would someone pick a certain neighborhood over another because of fiber? Maybe? The thought popped up in my head.

Seeing as we're weeks ahead of normal -- snow is all gone and ground is nearly thawed -- any chance USI can start installing fiber sooner?

We actually have started, the weather has been kind to us so far and we are working hard to get everyone live as soon as possible.

New area installation should start by April 1 and we will be going full stream all summer long.

Thanks for the support.

-Travis / USI