WASHINGTON, July 10 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and three colleagues today asked the Federal Communications Commission to investigate “ridiculous prices” for cable and broadband services.
“Consumers in our country have little or no choice in their Internet and cable provider,” Sanders wrote in the letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler. “As a result, these companies are able to charge ridiculous prices and add hidden fees onto a customer’s bill,” he added in the letter also signed by Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Al Franken (D-Minn.). “It’s no wonder the American public rank these providers last in customer satisfaction,” the senators said.
The letter asks the FCC to collect information on what Americans pay for broadband and cable services by location, provider and the fees these companies charge. Currently, America ranks 25th worldwide for broadband speed, and we pay more for poorer quality broadband than customers in Slovakia, Estonia, South Korea, and the U.K.
The recent increased concentration in the cable and Internet industries has created a de facto monopoly where substantial price increases have become the norm.
The senators said an investigation by the commission would give consumers a better understanding of cable and broadband prices. They also said it would help policymakers evaluate the impact of corporate mergers, such as a proposed deal involving Charter, Time-Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.
“Americans deserve affordable access to the Internet, not hidden fees and rising prices,” said Sanders. “I hope Chairman Wheeler will take action and continue to defend American consumers.”
Contact: Michael Briggs: (202) 224-5141
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“Currently, America ranks 25th worldwide for broadband speed, and we pay more for poorer quality broadband than customers in Slovakia, Estonia, South Korea, and the U.K.”
More expensive, less quality, and slower.
This is an excellent reason for the town to offer municipal broadband services – create a few good jobs, create an income stream for the town, and provide everyone with really fast, really affordable internet services. Which brings people and business to town.
Brattleboro could break ahead of the rest of the United States and compete with Estonia!
local could be regional
Perhaps a regional broadband solution could be apart of our regional economic development.
Could be more lucarative than our other utilities, too.
Let's hope
We are gouged on cable/internet around here. What I used to pay for cable/internet with one box and no premium channels was 3/4s the price ($150) of what friends and family pay for internet, 4 cable boxes and all the premium channels elsewhere ($200). We are being hosed, and there are no regulations to stop it.