What a Verizon FiOS plan might look like in a non Net Neutral environment.
Let's look into the future and try to see what kind of internet service Verizon might be offering in Red Bank a year or so from now:
Verizon FiOS Internet Service
With the $39.95 a month plan you get:
45Mbps down/10Mbps up access to the public internet Plus
10Mbps dedicated MSN-for-FiOS on Verizon’s Private Network (VPN) Plus
5Mbps dedicated XBOX live on VPN Plus
2Mbps dedicated WebMD FiOS-Homelink on VPN
Meanwhile Comcast does it's best to keep up
Comcast Internet Service
With the $35.99 a month plan you get
20Mbps down/5Mbps up
Verizon’s plan seems like a great deal, especially in today’s environment where most Americans have much slower internet access. Let’s dive into the details a bit more.
Access to the Public Internet.
Verizon is calling the “Public Internet” what we currently call “The Internet”, they have been advised by PR people to start re-defining the internet for political purposes. IN my example Verizon’s fiber optic cables allow them to offer access to the “public internet” that is twice as fast as what Comcast can offer on their copper (in reality the sky is the limit when it comes to fiber). Would anyone choose the plan offered by Comcast? I wouldn’t; in fact there would be no real reason to even consider cable at that level of performance and at that price point. This will lead to Verizon being the de facto internet service provider in the areas when they run fiber.
Verizon’s added services, via their Private Network.
Verizon’s plans include offering these kinds of services bundled into their internet packages. Their fiber gives them more than enough bandwidth to offer services like this. The added services would be another reason why consumers would choose Verizon over cable. My concern with these bundled VPN services is that they will implicitly limit competition and eventually lead to less innovation and less choice for consumers.
Limiting competition
Verizon will control who has access to their Private Network. It is unlikely, and unlike Verizon’s current practices, that Verizon will open their Private Network to anyone who is willing to pay them. Verizon likes to partner up with a single company in a sector and lock out competitors. This will lead to less choice for consumers.
