Well here cable has "On Demand" viewing. We have a movie network (called DUH.. The Movie Network - a shitty monopoly) and that is it. With Rogers they offer the On demand - both from the Movie network collection, and from their own private stock. No different than perhaps playing a DivX movie on my system. In theory I could watch a Pay Per view movie - tape it and burn a DVD. But I felt, screw the PPV and Movie Network crap - perhaps I should just go to the Video store, pay $5 - rent and copy the DVD. At least I would have a far superior copy plus pay for what I want.
Years ago due to deregulation, various rules came in. The creation of the "demarcation" point. (before that is the phone company; after that is my home). Also, the Local Bells had to let others into the business. Now there are major players in the LD market, but I can start a company and buy blocks of LD minutes and resell them on cards (old hat). Today I can buy my local phone service either through Bell or through Sprint. I can buy DSL from Primus because Bell was forced to sell the DSL at a bulk rate to Primus.
Based on allowing companies in - players in the cell market and telephone companies (and others) had to pay into a local telephone fund. Basically instead of Bell supporting the non-lucrative markets, all have to contribute.
But what I haven't seen, is Bell entering into Cable. I thought because any company could get into Bell services, that likewise any company could get into the cable. ie the infrastructure is no longer controlled by a single entity.
Another point lately deals with the system license charges on cells. They use to charge about $4-5/mth fee to use the cell - but then they all increased it to $7. It has been suggested that the reasoning (in theory to pay down the licenses paid for the frequency) is to pay for the local calling (above). But many have stated that it is a lie and they are just pocketing the money. There is some movement on that - class action or something.
The norm use to be up to 2 year contract for a new phone to save a bit of money. Now the norm is 3 years. I am sure the next will be dibs on my new born son's remains of his circumcision (sorry all.. but chuckle!)
Yeah we have contracts for Natural Gas and almost for Hydro (when they dumped on the denizens a virtually bankrupt utility in disrepair that makes GOBS AND GOBS AND GOBS of money).
I haven't opted for any utility contracts of yet. The first time NG was offered (hindsight of course) it was a steal - now they are just reaming people for the money they lost.
Interesting with the VDSL - I am sure Bell is working on that. I have yet to test if cable is faster than the DSL or not. I want to do that shortly. I would sign up for Easynews then ensure the news client is on the same machine and then just PUMP away - I will be able to determine right down to the KB/S which is the fastest. Should be interesting.
2% huh? <VVVVVBG!>
Blake
"When you have to shoot, shoot. Don't talk."
Tuco (The Good, the Bad and the Ugly)
"An umbrella with holes is better than no umbrella at all."
Dr. Alexander Elder on using stops.
