Internet Service and TV Service Providers Earn Poor Customer Experience Ratings, According to New Temkin Group Research
Internet Service
Internet Service and TV Service Providers Earn Poor Customer Experience Ratings, According to New Temkin Group Research
Temkin Group has published its latest report and Temkin Experience Ratings covering 206 big companies from 18 diverse industries. This is the second consecutive year when Temkin has come out with the ratings.
The research was based on a survey covering 10,000 consumers in the US in January 2012. The survey covered 11 Internet service providers including Verizon, Road Runner Internet, Qwest, MSN, EarthLink, Cox Communications, Comcast, Charter Communications, Cablevision, AT&T and AOL and 10 Television service providers including Verizon, Time Warner Cable, Optimum/ Cablevision, Dish TV, DirecTV, Cox Communications, Comcast, Charter Communications, Bright House Networks and AT&T
The study compared 21 organizations from both Internet and cable space only three of them received OK rating. Cablevision (Internet), Dish Network (TV) and Bright House Networks (TV). Fifteen received poor and three were rated very poor.
The TV and Internet services were rated 16th and 17th respectively from amongst 18 industries covered in the study on customer experience. Only health plans scored lower than these two. EarthLink and Charter communications were the lowest rated companies out of the 206 surveyed by Temkin. Eight out of the lowest 19 were from these two industries.
Bruce Temkin, the report’s author and Temkin group’s managing partner said that terrible customer service is an epidemic with cable and internet service providers. As per the analysis of the Temkin group, TV services had a modest increase in customer service experience while Internet services scored slightly less as compared to 2011.
Seven companies had an increase of more than five percentage points over the last year. They are Comcast (TV and Internet), DirecTV, Bright House Networks, Dish TV, AOL, Comcast and Cablevision. Cox Communications was the only one showing more than five percentage points decline.
The Temkin Experience rating taps three dimensions of customer satisfaction- functional, accessible and emotional.
Categories: CenturyLink, Comcast, Cox, EarthLink, Internet News, Internet Providers, Qwest, Time Warner Cable, Verizon Tags: AOL, AT&T, Cablevision, Charter Communications, Comcast, Cox Communications, EarthLink, MSN, Qwest, Road Runner Internet, Verizon
Internet Service Providers Close to Implementing System to Punish Piracy
Internet Service Providers Implementing System to Punish Piracy
Internet Service Providers Close to Implementing System to Punish Piracy
Internet providers and content creators took a step further in preventing online piracy by appointing a head for an agency hired to draft punitive measures for people suspected to be involved in online piracy.
The move to appoint Jill Lesser as head of the Center for Copyright Information, suggests that ISPs will advance quickly towards preparing a system that prevents illegal downloads. The system is expected to start in July. Last year the ISPs had agreed with the Motion Picture Association of America and Recording Industry Association of America to voluntarily watch Internet use by its subscribers and enforce mitigation measures for suspected online pirates. These measures include slowing down Internet speed or removing Internet services completely.
In this program, details of which CCI will develop later, RIAA and MIPAA will inform ISPs of suspect computers which have pirated copyright content. ISPs will then send messages to these suspected computers that their computers could be possibly used for online piracy. After few alerts these messages would turn to punitive measures.
As per the agreement, users who continue to indulge in piracy won’t be prosecuted but the CCI will introduce a six strike program which will effectively control piracy. According to CCIs website they expect very few users to indulge in piracy after repeated alerts. Lesser came on board because the project was based on education as a deterrence not punishment.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation representing Internet user’s rights feels that educative messages are nothing more than allegations which are not tried in a court and stopping Internet access is a draconian measure.
Intellectual property director of EFF, Corynne McSherry feels that copyright holders and ISPs got together to make a backroom deal. The Internet subscribers were not even at the discussion table either then or now and there is no transparency in the deal.
Categories: Internet Law, Internet News, Internet Providers Tags: internet service providers, piracy
Cisco to Acquire Home Network Management Company
Cisco to Acquire Network Management Company
Cisco to Acquire Home Network Management Company
Last week Cisco said that it is interested in acquiring ClearAccess, a company providing services provisioning and device management software to service providers. Cisco hasn’t disclosed the financial aspect of the merger however plans on when the personnel and software arms of ClearAccess would be integrated into Cisco’s fold were laid.
ClearAccess is a hardware and software development company which manufactures TR-069 standard provisioning new devices, issuing upgrades and remotely finding faults.
As per the terms of the acquisition Cisco will acquire personnel and software assets of ClearAccess. SmartRG Inc. which is currently managing the hardware operations will continue to operate independently. SmartRG is a maker of gigabit and ADSL Internet routers. At the moment Cisco has intentions of acquiring the software and network management capabilities of ClearAccess.
Cisco says, the software and network management abilities of ClearAccess combined with those of Cisco’s will help service providers in improving management and delivery of their mobile and residential services, enhance customer experiences and operational efficiencies. Cisco says that the software from ClearAccess will assist Cisco’s Prime network management system provide tools for managing and monitoring parental controls, diagnostics, bandwidth usage and analytics. The acquisition will help Cisco consolidate its position in the market as the largest player in the software and network management field.
This acquisition will help Cisco cater to the increasing needs of its mobile service providers to manage the burgeoning data and video traffic which is clogging their networks. Proliferation of new devices is putting a lot of strain on the wireless networks which are already congested due to insufficient spectrum.
Modalities of the acquisition are currently being discussed as the acquisition is expected to be completed in the last quarter of Cisco’s fiscal year 2012. By then ClearAccess will get integrated in the Cisco Network Management Technology Group.
Categories: DSL, Internet News, Internet Providers Tags: Cisco
Dismissal of Suit Against Cable Providers Upheld
Dismissal of Suit Against Cable Providers Upheld
A federal appeals court ruled last week that cable providers do not breach antitrust laws by their standard sales practice of clubbing low demand and high demand channels rather than allowing customers choose their individual channels.
The arrangement makes people pay for channels they do not want. The court noted that the effects are fully consistent with a competitive and free market. The hearing was being carried out at the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. It upheld a federal judge’s order to dismiss an antitrust suit filed in 2007 by a group of satellite and cable TV customers in Los Angeles. They had accused Entertainment companies like Fox Entertainment Group and NBC Universal of using their clout with distributors like EchoStar Satellite and Time Warner Cable to sell channels as a package instead of allowing customers to choose them individually.
Maxwell Blecher, the lawyer for the group had pleaded that a basic entertainment package offered by most companies contains at least 50 channels whereas an average person watches between 5 and 15 channels only. People must be able to choose smaller packages or individual packages but these options are not made available due to absence of competitive conditions, Blecher said.
But the court observed that sales practice that harm consumers do not necessarily damage competition which is a prerequisite for an antitrust violation. A similar conclusion was derived by the panel in June who withdrew the verdict in November and issued a fresh decision last week.
Judge Sandra Ikuta had noted that packaged sales had not affected competition amongst cable TV channels or quality of distribution. It neither affected programmers from offering one channel sales.
Glen Pomerantz, the lawyer for Fox Entertainment said that the court had correctly noted that agreements between cable and satellite operators and television programmers do not harm competition in any way.
Categories: Cable Internet, Internet News, Internet Providers, Uncategorized Tags: Cable, providers
High Speed Florida Broadband Internet on the Way
Florida Broadband
High Speed Florida Broadband Internet on the Way
According to the North Florida Broadband Authority (NFBA), a broadband Internet plan which will make services available to fifteen counties in North Florida is almost complete and will become operational soon as a middle mile service provider.
The NFBA which has its headquarters in Lake City is expected to complete their core network by the first week of April and soon become a service provider for the “middle mile”.
The middle mile network connects last mile providers who can provide very fast Internet for reasonable rates to governments, businesses and residents.
NBFA’s focus since its inception has been on developing the infrastructure to provide high speed broadband service for improving education, economic development and access modern health care services.
The program’s progress was stalled last fall due to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Acquisition and Grants (NOAA) suspending the funding because of accusations of waste due to which Capitol Solutions and Government Services Group (GSG), the two private groups partnering NBFA had to resign last October. But GSG stayed on board to help NFBA with its transition and reorganization period. The NBFA provided a corrective action plan as directed by the NOAA and waited for the project’s funding to be restored.
One of the measures of the corrective action plan was to get Sucara on-board. Also Jacobs Project Management and Engineering was hired to supervise the project. It will be the lone private body working for NFBA directly. Sucara’s expectation is that the project will be able to start providing service to few service providers by early April and the project is expected to be fully complete by January 2013. It is expected that the NBFA will be sustainable by then.
The counties that will benefit include Wakulla, Union, Taylor, Suwanee, Putnam, Madison, Levy, Lafayette, Jefferson, Hamilton, Gilchrist, Dixie, Columbia, Bradford and Baker.
Florida Broadband Internet Providers
Categories: Broadband, Florida, Internet News, Internet Providers Tags: Florida Broadband, Florida Internet
Why Is My Download Speed So Slow?
Download Speed Slow?
Why Is My Download Speed So Slow?
by Dan Karas
I’ve been asked this question hundreds if not thousands of times by visitors of the ISP 1 website and places such as Yahoo Answers.
The question is usually worded similar to this:
I have a DSL Internet service plan with a 1.5 Mbps download speed. When I do a speed test I do get around the 1.5 MB Sec promised download speed so why is it when i download anything whether it’s a video game music file or what ever I always only get around 150Kb/Sec?
And the answer is:
Internet service providers market Internet service plans advertised download speeds in Mbps. This is also the result that you get when you check your Internet download speed at speed testing sites.
Internet download speeds are measured in Mbps, which is millions of (bits) per second, not to be confused with MB/s which is millions of (bytes) per second.
However, in the real world files are not measured in Bits, they are measured in Bytes, KiloBytes, Megabytes, Gigabytes, etc.
Once you know your download speed in bits per second you can calculate what a maximum (real world) download speed will be.
For example a 1.5 Mbps DSL Internet connection can transfer data at 1.5 million bits per second. (notice bits not bytes)
A byte is 8 bits so, 1,500,000 / 8 = 187,500 bytes per second.
A kilobyte is equal to 1,024 bytes, so 187,500 / 1024 = a maximum download speed of 183 KB/s
Every packet of data is checked for errors and resent if they exist. Overhead in the transfer of data takes up some more.
Also the speed and load on the server you are downloading from has to be accounted for. When you try to download a file or web page, there is much overhead involved. There may be 100,000 other people trying to download the same file at the same time. The file may be on a server located in Russia. Your Internet connection may have to be routed through 15 or 20 hops (different locations) to reach the server. Each server has a delay (latency) due to the long distances that the signals must travel.
Now the server has to process your request, depending on the speed of the server this could take many milliseconds, and returns your data in packets (small chunks) back through all of the hops to finally reach your computer. This process must be repeated until your file or web page finally reaches to your computer.
In this example the 1.5 Mbps DSL Internet connection can download at a maximum of about 150KB/s, However many variables such as file location and Internet traffic at he download server can slow this considerably.
A rough estimate of actual download speed can be made by dividing your Internet connection speed in bps by 10. For example a 3 Mbps Internet connection’s maximum download speed is approximately 300 to 350 Kbps.
Faster Internet Speed
If you want to stream high quality video from sites such as Netflix, you’ll want a minimum of a 5 – 10 Mbps Internet connection. In many areas standard DSL is simply not this fast.
By nature fiber optic cable can handle more data at faster speeds than the standard copper twisted pairs used in conventional DSL.
DSL is limited by the distance from the CO or telephone companies central office. The copper limits are around 15,000 feet. and this would be the actual length of the cable not the point to point distance. If your neighborhood has fiber optic this distance can be extended,
For higher DSL speeds these distances get shorter, the faster the speed the shorter the distance. A 3 Mbps DSL connection would be about a maximum of 6000 feet from the CO. If you exceed these limits the speed and quality of the connection will be degraded.
To compete with the cable company’s high speed offerings DSL providers have started upgrading to fiber optic cabling. Verizon’s FiOS and At&t’s U-Verse are examples of fiber ADSL2+ offerings.
Fiber permits ADSL2+ speeds of up to 50 Mbps and can simultaneously provide digital television programming on the same connection. This can provide Internet bundle packages that include broadband Internet, TV and phone in one convenient package.
Cable Internet is a form of broadband Internet transmitted over coaxial television cables. Cable Internet speeds range from 3 Mbps to over 100 Mbps using newer DOCSIS 3.0 modem technology and bonded download channels. The speed of the service depends on your exact area and service package that you order.
Finding a Fast Internet Provider
If you are searching for a faster Internet connection, your options will depend on what Internet providers are available in your specific area, and what levels of service they offer in that location.
For instance the DSL Internet plans might be better in one part of the city, and the cable Internet options better in another. DSL is generally cheaper than cable Internet, however the cable plans are usually faster.
If you are interested in broadband Internet then go here http://isp1.us/find/ and input your address, to compare the pricing and terms of the Internet offers that are available in your area.
The physical address is needed because some services, particularly DSL, are very distance sensitive. For example you might be able to get a specific level of service while your next door neighbor can’t.
You’ll want to pick the fastest plan that fits your budget. In some areas this can be 100 Mbps+. But these high end broadband plans are expensive. You may find that something in the 5 to 30 Mbps range might satisfy your needs at a much lower cost.
Find Faster Internet Deals
Categories: Broadband, Faster, High Speed, Internet Providers, Uncategorized Tags: slow download, slow internet, slow speed
Cheap Internet Deals Online
Cheap Internet Deals
Cheap Internet Deals Online
by ISP 1 Guest Blogger
Are your 60 dollar monthly broadband bills burning large holes in your budget and you think that there must be cheaper price at hand. There is always a cheaper alternative but you have to search. One of the most luxurious net connections around is if you purchase broadband service from providers. Both phone and cable companies has been punishing incrementally with their broadband clients for years, by tacking 5 to 10 dollars, even 15 dollars on to the rate since you need to choose not bundles broadband with some other services that the company sells.
It isn’t uncommon to see a few cable businesses charging 55 to 60 dollars for the standard in their high speed Internet service. If you contact to inquire, they’re sure to start aggressively selling you bundled service packages, arguing they can add cable TV, phone and calls service for 20 to 30 dollars more per month. These sound like better deals, unless you do not care with regards to the service.
Welcome in the world of advertising, where value perceptions is the main key in driving average revenues gathered from every subscribers higher. You also end up purchasing service you possibly would not consider though because it seems it’s cheap if compared to the value of service you’re in, then why not?
Phone businesses do similar things, though a lot of companies love to bury secret charges in the fine print and commit you to a one to three year service contract to secure the ads price. Businesses like this can pitch DSL services for only 15 dollars monthly yet keep searching and you would know the fees and taxes raised the price significantly.
In mere fact, most especially with phone companies, they are too notorious in charging substantial modem rental fees and what is known as high speed net sub charge. In getting the cheapest price, you would be the customer for years varying in the promotional selected.
You could break free in the marketing circus through focusing in and searching the right deals for the services you actually care about.
- Review ads offered in the TV and newspaper, though often read the fine print
- Visit sites of every local Internet provider and look for online offers which can deliver added savings, yet not just if you make orders online
- Contact your local providers and then ask about the various cheap Internet deals and query. What are the best offers they have today? How can you avail one? And what are the requirements needed?
- Use the search engines and type the name of the provider and type words such as deals, promotions, and offers. The third party genuine resellers can have no offers that functions best for you.
These are the things how you can find for the cheap Internet deals. You will never have a hard time searching since all things are easily accessed now online.
Find Cheap Broadband Deals
Categories: Broadband, Cost, High Speed, Internet Providers Tags: Broadband, Cheap, cheapest, high speed
DSL Broadband Discussed – Functions and Switching
DSL Broadband Discussed
DSL Broadband Discussed
by ISP 1 Guest Blogger
For me, broadband DSL is a technology that lets us enjoy Internet surfing more. For some people, we do not know exactly its meaning and its function. So, I present here some details that will help you get pointers in understanding this added innovation in the technology.
Are you new to DSL broadband? Well if so, you have to look for a DSL provider that can configure your phone lines before you may get online. Usually, it takes weeks and must not affect the calls. You will get broadband DSL modem as well that lets your computer use the signals and couple of micro filters, which helps the modem get cleaner signals through the telephone lines. It makes a difference, you cannot get reliable access without it, and so it is vital to utilize them if possible. Certainly, all the equipment cost the service providers money, thus most would lock in minimum of a 12 month contract to recoup the cost.
Broadband DSL Function
Where is it available? Cheap broadband DSL now has replaced dial up Internet access. For you to catch it, the majority of people use a upgraded home phone line known as ADSL or Asymmetrical Digital Subscribers Line. Along with being several times faster as compared to dial up, a broadband connection offers a couple of key benefits too. It is always connected, thus you need not wait to get online every time, and DSL lets you make and receive calls on the same line while it is being used.
How to Switch Broadband Providers?
It is simple to switch broadband providers. Recently, this was made harder by disobliging companies. Luckily it is slowly changing as federal regulations comes down tough on them. When you’re switching providers there are lots of checks you need to make.
It is Locked In?
Actually, you have to check if you’re permitted to switch broadband from your present provider. A lot of broadband provider’s contract lasts for 1 year or 8 months. Trying to leave when you are still in contract will cause you to be penalized. And even if you are not penalized, you will surely be liable to pay for equipment costs they offered you, as it is vitally rented from the providers.
Is there Migration Fee?
The majority of providers these days would transfer you to their service without any charges since they like the business. However, dwindling numbers of charge migration costs for switching.
It is vital as well to remember the technical reasons, new companies normally lets you switch to the service on similar speed as you have in your present provider, though after that you’ll be upgrading as well.
Make sure that you know the authorization code. One thing that I know, you need to keep in mind, call your present provider and asks for the migration authorization code. Do not worry since it is the standard procedure and you have to catch it hassle free.
If you’re satisfied with your present provider, you can try to add speed or drop the package price nicely. These are the only things that I can share to you based in my experience and research.
Find A Cheap DSL Deal
Categories: Broadband, DSL, Internet Providers Tags: Broadband, connection, DSL, Internet
How To Choose The Right ISP?
Choose the Right ISP?
How To Choose The Right ISP?
by Dan Karas
For any Internet user, choosing their Internet service provider (ISP) is an important step that provides them with a fast, secure Internet connection. When choosing an ISP, there are many details you should pay attention to, and you will also have to make several decisions. So, before you decide that you want to have nothing more than affordable access to the Internet, research the details about the different types of services that an Internet service provider can provide you with. This might help you choose the perfect provider for your needs, and get the best Internet experience available to you.
How Do You Choose an ISP?
When the time comes for people to choose an ISP, it is very hard for them to start looking for one, owing to the fact that they usually don’t know where to start. To help you with this, keep this in mind – search, search and search! Doing research on potential Internet service providers that are available in your area is a very good start, as this way you will avoid being overwhelmed with a great deal of unnecessary information. In many cases people cannot process so much new information at once, which is why they are left with a lot of questions. In order to be able to ask someone to give you a proper answer, you need to know what questions to ask them. So, do a little research and you’ll discover all the things you need to ask your prospective Internet service provider.
Try Finding an ISP That Has Both Online and Offline Offices
You will have less trouble deciding on a reputable ISP if you find one that has brick-and-mortar offices, as well as a strong online presence. This way you will be able to see your ISP in person, and talk to them face-to-face if this is what creates trust. In addition, you will be able to check the company’s reputation by simply typing in their name into your web browser. Many smaller, relatively unknown ISPs may offer great Internet deals, but many have gone out of business, and getting a refund of any prepaid internet charges ranges from a big hassle to a virtual impossibility.
Compare Prices
The fact that you don’t know much about Internet service providers doesn’t mean that you should pick the first one you find. Rather than this, you should compare prices and eventually find a deal that suits you best. The best way to do so is to visit companies’ websites and ask for a quote. Not only will they give you their pricing list, but you will also learn a bit more about the services they provide. There are also a multitude of ISP comparison web sites that provide databases or widgets that let you enter your address and return all of the broadband Internet plans and prices that are available in your exact area. Using this method of research can save you a great deal of time by limiting your prospective choices to only what is offered at your address.
Determine The Type of Services You Need
An Internet service provider can provide their users with a lot more than just an active Internet connection. Depending on what you need, you should choose accordingly both the type of service and your ISP. This means that you shouldn’t waste your money on an Internet package that offers super high-speed Internet speeds if you just need the Internet to send a few emails and do some basic online research. On the other hand, if you need ultra-high-speed Internet for streaming HD video movies or even additional services such as an interactive digital TV, broadband Internet and phone bundle, then you should invest some more money into the package you choose.
Therefore, start looking for your new ISP right away and you will be surfing the Internet in no time. Just be sure to follow these tips, and this previously intimidating task will turn out to be a piece of cake.
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Find an ISP in Your Area
Categories: Internet Access Article, Internet Providers, ISP Tags: choose isp, Internet provider, Internet service, ISP
Cable Internet Providers In My Area
Cable Internet Providers in my Area
Cable Internet Providers in my Area
How do I find Cable Internet Providers in my area?
At ISP 1 we get asked this question almost every day. If you are looking for Cable Internet Service then it is a waste of time to compare cable providers that don’t offer cable Internet services in your area.
You have two options, if you prefer to talk to someone on the telephone then you can call toll-free 7:00 AM to midnight EST.
If you prefer to see your cable Internet options online, then use our Cable Internet in Your Area finder. Just enter your address to see all of the available cable deals that you can get at your location.
Cable Internet is usually a little more costly than standard DSL, but often much faster. The increase in Internet speed usually offsets the increased costs. Cable systems also don’t require low pass DSL filters to be placed on every phone as do DSL Internet systems.
Cable Internet speeds are now exceeding 100 Mbps in some areas using exclusive cable only DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modems. These super high speed Cable Internet plans are expensive though. You might be satisfied with something in the 10 to 40 Mbps range at a much lower cost.
Analyze your broadband cable needs and your budget and you should be able to choose the right Cable Internet Provider in your local area that won’t break the bank.
Good Luck…
Categories: Cable Internet, Internet Providers Tags: Cable Internet Providers In My Area
