Internet Service Provider
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Pay to View
The major Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including telcos like AT&T and Verizon and cable operators like Comcast and Time Warner, are changing the way a subscriber accesses broadband content. Traditionally, these providers offered “flat rate” or all-you-can-use data plans which were simple to understand and affordable. These are being replaced by “metered” or usage-based pricing (UBP) plans. In effect, the market is shifting from a buffet model to a tiered model based on what a consumer can afford. The model for metered services was first introduced among wireless carriers. In 2011, the major wireless carries, including AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile […]
by David Rosen on Oct 10, 2012 -
Another Web is Possible
Most mobile and wireline users rely on a commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP) to access the web. Such ISPs include big dogs like AT&T and Verizon, Time Warner and Comcast, as well as small fries like Earthlink and Juno. However, there is a second class of ISP that is little discussed: nonprofit ISP. Nonprofit ISPs involve two different types of providers – municipal or community networks and nonprofit corporations. In 2001, there were only 16 government-run networks in nine states. Today, there are an estimated 150 communities around the country with their own publicly-owned broadband networks. In the face of […]
by David Rosen on Sep 28, 2012
