AT&T Intervenes in Kansas Town's Fiber Network Plans

[Vivi22]

You guys are overblowing this just a bit.

This is the business equivalent of you wanting to know what your neighbors are doing on the edge of your properties.

Seems more like being a guy who makes a product, finds out someone is trying to set up shop nearby making a better version of said product, and using the law to keep them from opening and selling anything until you've had time to learn what their plans are and find more ways to prevent them from entering the market altogether instead of just improving your damn product.

If another group wants to come in and install a better high speed network than AT&T, they shouldn't be able to do anything that would impact it aside from choosing to build a better network themselves. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this is the first step in them trying to kill it under the weight of legal challenges and bought politicians.

 

[J Tyran]

You guys are overblowing this just a bit.

This is the business equivalent of you wanting to know what your neighbors are doing on the edge of your properties. There's nothing outright malicious about this YET.

Overblowing it? Even your example here is obnoxious, they shouldn't be able to use local or national legislation like this at all. Being able to interfere or monitor the process this way is out of order.

The authorities should offer them no explanation nor acknowledge that they have any interest let alone allow them to file injunctions.

 

[briankoontz]

One again proving that large companies don't know how business and economics actually works.

... ... They DO know how business and economics actually works. Hence the injunction. They don't particularly care how such things are taught in schools, since that reflects an idealized world which doesn't match the real one. They'd rather maximize profits than cater to a textbook.

 

[Cowabungaa]

snip

Lemme explain. Manipulating the economic system makes them sly, greedy, and an ass...but it doesn't meant they understand it. Because if they DID, they wouldn't do it because economy needs to pay into itself and encourage competition for advancement and smarter returns in investment in the long run.

'Economy' is whatever 'they' define it to be, what you describe is not what 'economy' has to be. Within the neoliberal paradigm we're in, AT&T is acting perfectly logical. They're making steps (how big they are I'm not completely sure) to keep their superior market position into place. Makes perfect sense.

 

[lacktheknack]

One again proving that large companies don't know how business and economics actually works.

Actually, I think they know exactly how it works.

ie. They realize how completely and totally boned they are if the network finishes.

 

[Strazdas]

my surprise meter must be broken, it returns a #null error.

this is a great case of american capitalism. someone else is doing it better than you? lets ban it by abusing laws so we can continue being the only monopoly and offer shit service.

 

[Cindy in Chanute]

I think this happened last year and the KCC has already approved of Chanute's bond financing. I'm unaware of any new injunctions, and don't know anyone who has heard of this new injunction.
Cindy from Chanute

 

[FalloutJack]

Snippo

Not the kind of moment I'm referring to. Since you point out that such problems usually reach a recession point first, that means the do-or-die point has not been reached. That does not disprove the point or excuse the act.

Snippish

See other previous comments as to why that isn't the case. Besides, that's not idealized. That's the system. Math and logic. Numbers don't lie, only people. Ask the IRS. They know.

Snip-a-de-doo-da?

Again, it's not a question of who defines it. It's how people wield it. Economics is a tool related to very large sums of money. To wit, they DO wield it to keep their monopoly, but they're still causing a long run problem regardless of how many angles they put on it.

Snip-a-de-day?

How boned are we talking here? Does Kansas have the One Ring? Would it not be more realistic to say AT&T would take a monetary blow which it can handle because it's a big boy and then be inspired by its competition to go faster and better? Granted, greedy businessmen do not LIKE having to work for a living, but honestly you'd prefer it if they had a little pressure, wouldn't you?

 

[DeaDRabbiT]

"And it was on this day that the great megacorp of AT&T fired teargas into the crowd of belligerent and unwashed masses who should be grateful for their offering of substandard internet connections."

Really though, AT&T is it smart to be this obvious with your smacking down of the public's attempts at competing?

It's not even an attempt to compete. The public said that in the era of broadband it was ridiculous that all they could get was 6mb DSL, so they have decided to build their own network at cost and maintenance.

 

[Dandres]

Never heard of the town but now they are on my list of cool towns, A tip of the my hat to them.

 

[Soulrender95]

But but our Monopoly! won't someone please think of the shareholders?! we need the monopoly so we can buy yachts that fit in our cruise liners swimming pool.

Without this vital domination of the market forces, now we won't have the time or money to hold back progress! everyone will have super fast unlimited internet connections without fast lanes... there will be market place competition and we'd have to compete.

I will not stand for this... if only my seat wasn't a day old and in need of replacing, curse you and your ruination of our corporate control!

 

[lacktheknack]

Snip-a-de-day?

How boned are we talking here? Does Kansas have the One Ring? Would it not be more realistic to say AT&T would take a monetary blow which it can handle because it's a big boy and then be inspired by its competition to go faster and better? Granted, greedy businessmen do not LIKE having to work for a living, but honestly you'd prefer it if they had a little pressure, wouldn't you?

Oh, absolutely. The more pressure on them to perform, the better. That's why I'm happy about the fiber network.

As for the bonedness, I'm talking "a small sting that slowly trickles venom throughout the rest of the body, meaning they have to adapt or die, because sitting on their monopoly won't cut it anymore and other places are going to follow suit with their own fiber networks."

It'll be beautiful.

 

[asinann]

Not sure why AT&T was granted an injunction when sure they offer 'broadband' but not the same speeds... By a lot so it seems to me that the town is offering a completely different product and would not be competing in the same market as AT&T and their puny 6Mbps service.

6mbps doesn't even fit the FCC definition of broadband any more, so legally the area isn't serviced by a broadband provider right now.

 

[Cindy in Chanute]

Chanute is no longer battling AT&T. We are battling ourselves. City Commissioner elections this Tuesday will determine if we actually get to implement the fiber plan, or if it will be shelved. If the right commissioners are elected, Chanute will offer 1000 Mbps speeds for $40 a month to residents. One wonders why this would not be a given to put into action, but Chanute is divided between those who want to move forward technologically, and those who think we're just fine as we are. I'm crossing my fingers that more forward thinkers go to the polls on Tuesday than non-forward thinkers.
Cindy in Chanute

 

[bigfatcarp93]

As unfortunate as this is (and it is), you can't exactly blame AT&T for wanting to defend what they probably perceive as their territory.

 

[crimson5pheonix]

As unfortunate as this is (and it is), you can't exactly blame AT&T for wanting to defend what they probably perceive as their territory.

Yes you can blame them, it's not "their territory", it's a bunch of people asking for a service that AT&T isn't providing.

 

[bigfatcarp93]

As unfortunate as this is (and it is), you can't exactly blame AT&T for wanting to defend what they probably perceive as their territory.

Yes you can blame them, it's not "their territory", it's a bunch of people asking for a service that AT&T isn't providing.

Oh, my misinformation then. Nevermind.

 

[Evil Smurf]

I just got 100mb/s cable, after living with 12mb/s ADSL2, so I can relate to these people's pain.

As unfortunate as this is (and it is), you can't exactly blame AT&T for wanting to defend what they probably perceive as their territory.

Are they a gang?

 

[Elfgore]

I fucking hate ISPs. You hear that Time Warner Cable! I fucking hate you, I fucking hate that I have to rely on you! (alright got that cleared out of my system)

ISPs are the worst corporations. Charging insanely high-prices for under-powered or even capped internet. They then use all of the money they don't spent on infrastructure to grease the hands of politicians and keep themselves in power. I hope this town stands up for fiber, as seeing one of the big ones fall will bring me joy. I hope the plan for them to go into Dayton works out, I could be browsing internet on uber-high speeds.

 

[Double A]

One again proving that large companies don't know how business and economics actually works.

I think they're more going for a feudalism gig at this point.