EVIL ATT To Start Capping DSL Services In May

This post from Electonista says it all.

Starting in May, ATT will start capping DSL use at 150 GB. A $10 fee will be assess for an additional 50 GB.

Does this affect you and how you use the Internet?

Let me do some simple math on this. This comes to 4.93 GB a day. Frankly, I think this is so bogus.

We are increasingly relying on our Internet services for streaming media and to get pertinent information. Heck, I don't even own a TV.

This just isn't right. Unfortunately, I think ATT will get away with this given the political atmosphere in Washington and the GOP not want the FCC to do anything at all.

Make no mistake about this. This is about GREED. And this can potentially destroy the Internet and innovation.

If there was ever a time for anyone in Washington to show some backbone, coming out against this would be an easy win.

More here.

Mini 9 Free With Vodafone Data

Onxo wondered if this was even something folks are considering at HQs of wireless providers.  In an earlier post, we speculated what it would be like if laptop makers work with wireless companies on providing combo deals with laptops and wireless data plans.

A Canadian company already offered iMac with broadband access.  And Vodafone already offered 3G equipped Dell laptops in our 3G modem growth post.

Now, liliputing has reported Vodafone will be offering Dell Inspiron Mini 9 for a special price with a Vodafone data plan.  What's the special price?

FREE!

With a 2-year contract, Vodafone will provide a metered Internet access from about $23 to $37 a month with a Dell Inspiron Mini 9.  I am guessing it'll come with a 3G modem.

What about those of us in the States?  I think we should see something similar in the next year.  These netbooks are powerful enough in most situations, allowing mobile warriors to consider adopting its use for daily work.

I'm just waiting for something similar for the Macbooks or the iMac myself.  So we'll go out on a limb that we'll see something like this on 2009 for the North American market.  We have no evidence point to this, nor any to the contrary.  However, given how much mobile phones are and the premium they command, the low prices for netbooks is a no brainer for wireless providers.

And given their desire for control, locking subscribers in for two years with data is just too tempting to avoid.

Source:  liliputing

Laptop With A Subscription Fee

Pricing on desktops and laptops are very fierce.  The margin on laptops are better than desktops but with laptops now approaching $500 and with netbooks occupying the $300-$400 range, there really is no room move around.  Companies are forced to bundle softwares in hopes of earning extra revenues.

On the other hand, Apple avoids doing so but bundle their own software on the Macbooks.  But the entry cost is hundreds higher even if you do get a superior OS and bundled applications that are actually useful.

Perhaps it is time for manufacturers to rethink this a bit.  In the phone and smartphone business, the practice in the US is to sell a mobile device at a loss but lock a customer into typically a 2-year contract.  This makes everybody happy.  The consumer gets the phone he or she wants with a lower upfront free, the wireless provider is almost guaranteed a steady revenue stream for 2-years, and the device maker has a sale.

Can this model work for laptops as well?  With WiMax on the horizon, WiFi services more of a presence, and a variety of wireless broadbands now available on the market, perhaps the usually suspects of wireless providers and laptop brands should get together and offer a bundle much like what is taking place in the mobile realm.

There are some companies out there that have similar offers wit iMacs and DSL services, so why not wireless.  Keep in mind, with DSL services, models are free if an annual contract is signed.  In fact, we're half way there already.

Take ATT.  I've got DSL with Ma Bell.  More than that, because of this association, I have access to WiFi at any ATT-operated hotspots.  Offer me a few hundred bucks off my next laptop purchase and feel free to lock me in for 2-years.  I'm not going anywhere.  The cable companies can also do the same.

It's a situation for everyone to gain a little something.  Now, the argument is that the consumer will pay more over time.  I get that.  For a lot of folks, if not for the initial subsidies on the iPhone, Blackberry, or Palm, the push by these respective companies would not be very successful.

Is Mobile Gaming Set for Big Changes?

For the last few days, I've been playing one game on the iPhone.  Cube Runner.  Nothing intricate about the game.  with your ship in a 3D environment, you're moving forward trying to dodge, that's right, cubes.  Easy.  Zero learn curve.  The graphic is as spartan as it get.  But extremely addictive.

For folks like myself, casual gamers, smartphone based games can offer fun in short busts.  For any developers out there consider getting into the market, 2009 could be a great time to do it.  Wireless networks primed to be opened up and gamers may be able to download games without having to get the approval of wireless providers.

This will become easier once platforms like Windows Mobile and Android sets up shop with their own download store.  One glanced at the iTunes' popular download list is proof enough that if there is a great delivery system, users will swarm towards it.  Currently games occupy eleven of the top twenty paid downloads.

For dedicated gaming platforms like the PSP and Nintendo DS, no one should be surprised to see gaming stores of their own for online downloads.  Whether the game is as simple as Cube Runner (free but I would have easily paid $5 for it) or Mario Kart, easy access can mean a lot more sales.

Folks can forget about trying to predict which game system will dominate and whether what the market share is going to look like 5 years from now.  It will not be a while until the portable gaming systems, DS and PSP, will merge with the smartphone gaming market.

Impact:  Developers can know with certainly that the doors to these mobile devices have opened or will open up soon.  For gamers, choices and great prices.  So, enjoy and let the hardware companies court you better systems and pricing.

Note:  Gizmodo reported Sega (developer of Super Monkey Ball for the iPhone) claimed iPhone is Dreamcast.  Not to bad.  Yup, 2009 will be a great year for mobile warriors/gamers.

Net Neutrality, Begged AT&T & Verizon

It's interesting when any giant corporations argue that all is good and there is not a need for the people to worry. That is precisely the time the consumers to start worrying. It is a bit like kids who have already done something bad or is about to do something bad.

AT&T along with Verizon got together to tell the FCC that they already have to tools to enforce net neutrality. Be that as it may, what's wrong with a bit of assurance from Congress? And AT&T getting together with Verizon to make this point? Shocking.

To make the story short, the largest cable provider, Comcast, has been screwing some of its subscribers by slowing down their download speed. It was targeted specifically at bandwidth hogs. P2P kind of things. Or so they said. I'm sure it's not a precursor to the day when folks start to download movies and other media.


The two telecom giants want the FCC to come down hard on Comcast. Keep in mind that no mention of consumers were made of AT&T and Verizon only that less regulation is good for the broadband industry.

This really bare watching as new broadband technology come online in the next few years. A lot of new wireless broadband technology such as Sprint's WiMax and LTE are months of not a couple of years away. Given an increasingly mobile workforce, it would not be inconceivable that one day, users abandon the shackles of today's broadband for tomorrow's faster and mobile services. These are the areas where AT&T and Verizon dominates and they know it.

It's never good when corporations come out against industry regulations and made no mention of consumer welfare. This is an issue we all need to pay close attention to given that it has not registered at all with mainstream Web media.

All mobile warriors, keep an eye on this and let me know if you read any developments.


Update: Here are some links related to this issue.

• AT&T to metering DSL subscribers.
• AT&T spokesman Michael Coe says that given the trends the company is seeing, a form of usage-based pricing for those customers who have abnormally high usage patterns is "inevitable.
• Comcast to user: stop using your cable broadband if you want to keep it.
• Looks like the Canadians are going through the same thing. And they've got more regulations in general than Americans here.
• Webware wonders if Comcast will cut users off. (Only if we let them.) Read the comments by one of the readers, surfyogi2. Way to go, dude. Fight back!
• Really sad for Cox users.
• Roadrunner too. Rot spreading on the net indeed.