Warning: The virtues of the egalitarian internet are standing in the way of higher corporate profits

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Warning-The-virtues-of-th-by-Jim-Hightower-Comcast_Corporate-Crime_Corporate-Profits_Internet-Cybercrimes-140625-501.html



Telecom giants aim to dictate what can go through their wires and on what terms

Warning: The virtues of the egalitarian internet are standing in the way of higher corporate profits!
By Jim Hightower
OpEdNews Op Eds 6/25/2014 at 21:15:30

Imagine my surprise when Robert Marcus, COO of Time Warner Cable, reached out to me in March. I don't get a lot of personal communiques from Fortune 500 chieftains, so I perked up when Bob indicated he had a piece of hot, inside-the-corporation news that he felt I should know about. "Dear Valued Customer," his letter began, reflecting that corporate warmth and camaraderie I feel when I phone TWC's service center and am told -- again and again... and again--to please hold, for "Your call is important to us."

Bob's big news was this: &quot Time Warner) plans to merge with Comcast, forming an industry-leading technology and media company dedicated to delivering great customer experiences." And, of course, I was totally stoked when he added this punch line: "Above all, this merger will benefit you, our customers."

Only then did I notice that my monthly bill was attached to Bob's joyous missive. It showed, with no explanation, that he had chosen that very month to hike my cable payment by $4.92! How great is that for a customer experience?

Marcus concluded with a line meant to be reassuring, but it struck me as ominous: "We are very excited about the promise of this combination for you, our customers." Sure they're excited, for they know that this deal promises to put us high-speed internet and cable TV customers at their mercy. They're erecting a colossal telecom combo that will have overbearing power to gouge us on prices and short us on services.