Stophovr6 Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Can someone explain to me why places like Japan and Hong Kong get such faster internet than we do? Is it because of the size of our country and how much cable has to be laid? Or is it because those providing the service suck? http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/connectivity/hong-kong-fiber-optic-rates-prove-verizons-fios-is-a-rip+off-303358.php While Verizon is out aggressively trying to sell the country on their FiOS fiber optic web connection packages, which range from $40 per month for 5Mbps to 30Mbps for $180 (extra for TV and phone service!), Hong Kong residents can now enjoy their own fiber optic connections from Hong Kong Broadband Network Limited… which happen to be a fraction of the price and many times faster than what we can get here. Yes, HK residents can now get a whopping 100Mbps fiber optic connection for a mere $48.50 a month. And that's the entry-level package. How about 200Mbps for $88.20? Yeah, not quite enough, I agree. You might as well jump up to 1Gbps for $215.40 a month. But hey, you don't really need that, do you? You should be thanking Verizon for the opportunity to pay them for a pathetic 5Mbps connection. I mean, the US is so far down on the per-country broadband speed chart (the Japanese are enjoying 60Mbps average) that we should just be loving any crumbs the telecoms are willing to toss our way, right? Thanks again, Verizon! [CNNMoney via Broadband Reports] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thespaniard Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Is it because of the size of our country and how much cable has to be laid? :laugh: In all seriousness, I would say it has a lot to do with the infrastructure here being mostly cable at this point. Once it is all replaced with fiber, which will happen in the next 10 years or so, the price will go down, just like with any new technology. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted September 27, 2007 Author Share Posted September 27, 2007 :laugh: Hahaha. Nice catch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zen-like Todd Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Here's the deal. When we try to be socialist, we suck at it. We granted companies monopolies over cable carriage, and have all kinds of goofy regulations regarding the rollout of services like DSL. We inhibited competition, and created fat profit margins. Funny how whenever Verizon FIOS gets to town, the local cable company magically jacks up bandwidth to match. Blame it on the government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexey Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Size definitely plays a role in many ways. Of course there is the difficulty of actually laying the fiber. Large size also means many rural areas, which means voters who do not care and/or understand scientific and technological issues. Removal of the Congressional Office of Technological Assessment in 1995 did not help either, a stunning act of Congressional self-lobotomy. Also in US there is a long history of major $$ being invested into promotion of ignorance by things like tobacco industry, big oil, hard line Christian groups, etc. Confused masses are easier to control. Not having fast internet is a side-effect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinInsite Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Same reason we get screwed on cool cellphones. Lousy phone companies and thier cronnies in the government. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heidenreich Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 American internet is slow because everybody is looking at/downloading porn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted September 27, 2007 Author Share Posted September 27, 2007 American internet is slow because everybody is looking at/downloading porn. Japanese love porn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IONTOP Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Japanese love porn. Cartoon files are smaller than real life ones... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooper Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Aren't we like 20th in the world when it comes to internet speed? That's crazy. It's almost as bad as our infant mortality rate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark The Homer Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/28/AR2007082801990.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mass_SkinsFan Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 One of the big things that people are missing is that in many of these other countries the electric, telecom, and cable companies simply provide SERVICES, from what I understand. In this country, the utility companies own the physical facilities (poles, wires, substations, etc...) as well. Those things cost money to install, maintain, and repair when necessary. Verizon, for one, I KNOW wants to get out of the business of owning poles. Unfortunately for them, that's not a realistic option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted September 27, 2007 Author Share Posted September 27, 2007 Aren't we supposed to be #1 at everything? Where is Gore? Tell him I want 1gbs!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard Washington Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Japanese love porn. Cartoon files are smaller than real life ones... cartoons?! :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnedAussie Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 You think you have a problem? We are ranked 26th, and it is (for me) mega expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinInsite Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 You think you have a problem?We are ranked 26th, and it is (for me) mega expensive. It's probably because you guys are busy booting people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted September 27, 2007 Author Share Posted September 27, 2007 You think you have a problem?We are ranked 26th, and it is (for me) mega expensive. Did the dingo eat your cable line? What speed do you have personally and is that average? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnedAussie Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 With what broadband / cable costs down here, and the amount we download (no, not pron!), it would cost us more than A$500 / month! With that, I much prefer to stay on dial-up, which costs A$15 / month, w/ unlimited downloads. If I was employed, broadband / cable might be an option, but as I'm on disability, other bills take priority. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TorresA Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 One factor is size, but also it also has to do to the fact that we are/were ahead of everyone else. Our exisiting infrastructure was built at an earlier time, first, but now it is older equiptment. Always upgrading, but it takes time obviously. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexey Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 from that great article posed earlier http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/28/AR2007082801990_2.html In 2000, the Japanese government seized its advantage in wire. In sharp contrast to the Bush administration over the same time period, regulators here compelled big phone companies to open up wires to upstart Internet providers. ... "The experience of the last seven years shows that sometimes you need a strong federal regulatory framework to ensure that competition happens in a way that is constructive," said Vinton G. Cerf, a vice president at Google Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stophovr6 Posted September 27, 2007 Author Share Posted September 27, 2007 With what broadband / cable costs down here, and the amount we download (no, not pron!), it would cost us more than A$500 / month!With that, I much prefer to stay on dial-up, which costs A$15 / month, w/ unlimited downloads. If I was employed, broadband / cable might be an option, but as I'm on disability, other bills take priority. Ouch, you guys get pretty hard for downloads huh? Bummer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnedAussie Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 Maybe an Aussie ES'er can post what they pay, but we have basic packages for as low as A$19.95 / month, but the download limit is miniscule. You are then hit with a massive bill for the excess. I'll check my ISP's home page and see what prices they are now offering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinnedAussie Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 OK, here's what my ISP charges for broadband / cable. Optusnet Speed: Dial-up: up to 56kbps (4) DSL: 256kbps, 512kbps, 1.5Mbps & 8Mbps• DSL Direct: Up to 20Mbps (1) Cable: Up to 9.9Mbps (2) (1). Displayed speed is based on Optus DSL Direct network testing. Not applicable if your service has been speed limited. Around 50% of customers on the 20Mbps plan can access speeds between 8Mbps and 20Mbps. Actual speeds will vary and may be slower. Many factors affect speeds such as your distance from the telephone exchange, your line condition, your hardware and software, the source of your download, and general internet traffic. Speeds above 8Mbps require network compatible ADSL2+ modem and filters. (2). Maximum speeds achievable on the Optus Cable Network. Actual speeds will vary and may be slower. Many factors affect speeds such as internet traffic, your hardware and software, the source of your download, and your location. Not applicable if your service is speed limited. 3. Data usage will be counted in Megabytes (MB) and includes both uploads and downloads. If you exceed your monthly data allowance, access will be speed limited to 64 or 128kbps depending on your plan until the end of the billing month. (4). Five hour session limit and 20 minute idle time-out applies for the Unlimited Dial-up plan. • Premium speed option: Speed on some selected plans may be increased to 8000/384 kbps by paying an additional $30 per month. A one-off speed change fee applies when changing down to a lower speed option. The fee will vary depending on the speed of the plan you are changing to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ACW Posted September 27, 2007 Share Posted September 27, 2007 61 megs per second? :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: I'm happy w/ 1 meg/second! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.