It hasn't really moved beyond that right? I would guess at this stage with deployed and regions they plan to deploy in over the next 12 months it's still only 2 - 3% of all US user reach?
Very few people could access Gmail initially. If it's out there, and people start to hear about 1gbps internet service (Google is tremendous with PR), it becomes an idea in the public consciousness. That immediately changes everything, even if the reach only ends up being 5%. Perception can be incredibly valuable. Your average person has no idea what the Google Fiber reach is, they do not care; they've heard about it though, and now they know that 1gbps Internet is possible and exists for the $70 they're already paying for 25mbps.
When the first iPhone came out, I didn't think much of it, but I had heard of it. I wasn't much of an Apple fan. Then I saw a guy play a nice video on it, from a trip he took to Tibet. Even though my carrier didn't have the iPhone circa 2007, that video's quality immediately changed everything about how I perceived phones and what I wanted out of them. My expectations were forever shifted upon seeing / knowing that was out there.
I only wish I could get 25mpbs internet speeds. It's not that I'm willing to pay thousands of dollars for it - Comcast told me that they needed to upgrade their infrastructure to be able to offer me anything above the lowest package that I'm already paying over $100 for (just for internet). Over the past 20 something years and the billions of dollars in profit - they are just getting around to upgrading their hardware now...
Did I mention that they refuse to let me purchase my own mode digressing from the fact that they keep raising the modem rental fees? They claim something about proprietary network information and a hash that is used on the modem. My bullshit detector went off the scale - I'm not sure if they genuinely don't know or just don't want to tell me.
> Then I saw a guy play a nice video on it, from a trip he took to Tibet.
> changed everything about how I perceived phones
Windows Mobile was able to do this many years before Apple. People disliked Windows Mobile because it was made for the power user and the interface wasn't very friendly. I will always have a certain love for Windows Mobile especially considering the ability to make applications in VB6. VB6 language sucked but it was easy to use and learn - when I had a Windows Mobile phone I wrote a TCP client/server app to remote control the audio on my computer in about 5 minutes in VB6. It wasn't pretty but it did what I needed it to do.
> Did I mention that they refuse to let me purchase my own mode digressing from the fact that they keep raising the modem rental fees?
I see this mentioned online, but are you sure this is an actual policy somewhere you've signed, or just what you've heard?
I've setup Comcast in 3 locations where I've lived on opposite sides of the country in the last 8 years or so and not once have I ever gotten any flack about using my own modem.
Once the tech comes to wire up my house and verify my signal is correct etc, I just call the 1-800-comcast number and connect to their internet reps and tell them I have a new connection and a modem I'd like to associate, give them my MAC address and I am on my way.
> but are you sure this is an actual policy somewhere you've signed, or just what you've heard?
This is an actual policy - apparently only applies to those who have static IPs (how convenient for them...)
> I just call the 1-800-comcast number and connect to their internet reps
I wish it was this simple. Apparently I have an account that is neither business or residential. I have business services (due to the static IPs) but whenever I call the system goes "oh you have a residential account let me connect you".
Till the day I die I refuse to believe that they don't have a master database that they could not have just punched in the MAC address. There is no way a multi-billion dollar company can't figure that out. I get that broadband is complex - but there has to be a way for me to use my own modem.
Don't even get me started on my modem upgrade and their "SLA".
Interesting I have my own modem with a static IP running on Comcast with no issues. I never even thought to ask when I switched from my "rental modem". I just bought one and plugged it in. The first time I logged in to my computer the browser defaulted to the Comcast site saying I needed to authorize the modem. Went through some simple verification questions and 5 minutes later was up and running. Never spoke to anyone to hook it up, have not had any problems, and still have my static IP.
I believe only business class accounts can get real static IP's, unless possibly you can pay $10 or so extra a month for the service on a residential account.
I've never had the need for one as my IP address hardly ever changes, and if it does I've just had a cronjob that updates Route53 automatically every $X hours so it isn't an issue.
Also here is a site made by Comcast showing you what DOCSIS type modems are compatible with their service. You can bring your own cable modem without issue. I would call their number, tell them you need to hook up your modem because you've upgraded and give them the MAC and that will be the end of it.
I did that and they told me that I bought a modem off their list that isn't sold commercially so they wouldn't attempt to let me use it.
Apparently there are only a select number of DOCSIS 3.0 cable modems that support multiple static IPs.
As a note - even though your IP may not change - the rest of the world knows it's a residential IP and many email servers will automatically bounce email from you.
I own a Zoom 5341 that I went out and bought just because it was DOCSIS 3.0. I had no idea that list even existed at the time but my modem happens to be on the list.
No one questioned what make/model I had at the time, I just gave them my MAC and I was on my way. The networking folks have been helpful and just did what I asked and we were on our ways.
I don't know if they would have flagged anything if my MAC didn't happen to be in range of an approved company and I would have gotten any grief; I'd buy one off that list from Amazon and return the Comcast provided one.
I have a "real" static on a residential account. I think it is an extra $5 or $10 I pay monthly for it. When I first got it (about 2 or 3 years ago) they fought me a little on the residential account part, but I went to the office and talked with a manager there face-to-face who was able to get it done for me. I luckily live about a mile from a local office and have always had much better luck with the face-to-face customer service for any of my issues (although I have learned that just asking to be transferred to the retention department usually results in better outcomes on the phone).
Regarding the iPhone, you're spot on. What captivated me about it, was seeing how natural the interface was for the person to load up a video and use it. Plus, the presentation - the screen, the phone's design, the video quality, for the time were beautiful. At that point in time, I associated Windows Mobile with products such as the Palm Pilot and Handspring. The iPhone, to my impression, was an entirely new epoch.
Only 16Mbps down/3Mbps up - which is kind of funny because they have a "speed test challenge" where if they can't offer you fastest speeds then they are supposed to give you $150...
I do have a block of 5 static IPs (well...technically 6) for an extra $20. However, the increase in modem rental fee making me rethink using Comcast (that and I get faster speeds off my phone...).
I just interpret "experiment and learn" as something that would stay small scale forever, like an academic experiment or a playground for their developers.
However they're continually expanding to new cities and doing Fiber for actual business value. Yes it's a slow rollout but I think "experiment and learn" is an understatement, similar to this wireless announcement.
Because it would be an inefficient use of their capital given their other alternatives.
Also, if a small investment in the space can spur the incumbents to increase their own investment, the leverage Google gets from their own small investment is tremendous.
To be exact, I am surprised they were able to make deal with cities where Fiber has launched given telecom franchise basically is a in-or-out. I guess they are Google they have plenty of resource at disposal.
