TWC Defends Tiers, Plans Speed- and Consumption-Based Plans

[cablewithaview]

When Time Warner Cable rolls out its new pricing plans, it won’t base its tiers simply on consumption, but will also consider broadband speed as part of the equation, according to a statement released this afternoon by TWC Chief Operating Officer Landel Hobbs. As it deals with the backlash generated by its expansion of tiered broadband trials to four new cities, among them San Antonio and Austin, Texas, the cable company is getting its messaging together. From the statement:

Our current pricing plans require all users to pay the same amount, whether they check email once a month or download six movies a day. As the amount of usage has dramatically diverged among users, this is becoming inherently unfair and not the way most consumers want to pay for goods they consume.

When you go to lunch with a friend, do you split the bill in half if he gets the steak and you have a salad?


TWC Defends Tiers, Plans Speed- and Consumption-Based Plans

[BenJF3]

From the statement:

Our current pricing plans require all users to pay the same amount, whether they check email once a month or download six movies a day. As the amount of usage has dramatically diverged among users, this is becoming inherently unfair and not the way most consumers want to pay for goods they consume.

When you go to lunch with a friend, do you split the bill in half if he gets the steak and you have a salad?

Ok, then where is my Ala Carte programming for video service? They are saying that it's unfair to make everybody pay the same, but that's exactly what they do with video! This is nothing more than a money grab.

[cablewithaview]

As we can see, price for al a carte would be higher for less if using the model they are using for internet.

[BenJF3]

I agree and I understand how the racket works. I guess my point is if they are going to subsidize programming costs, then they should do the same with Internet usage. If I have to pay an extra $20 a month for all the sports channels that I don't want and don't watch, then I should be allowed the concession on my Internet usage which I do want and use. The reason they can do this is because they own and control the network/service and are not forced to bundle or tie channels etc. In the end, it boils down to a money grab.