Time Warner prepares to rip off Road Runner subscribers

Unfortunately, the bird seed will be charged by the consumption very soon.

In fact, what can be compared to a back-door consumption tax, Time Warner Cable's Road Runner internet subscription service will begin expanding metered internet usage pricing to the Greensboro market. In plain English, Time Warner plans to charge internet customers based on how much data they consume with a new tiered pricing scheme in several markets. Beside Greensboro, markets in New York and Texas are also going to be affected.

My friend Roch Smith is all over this:

Smith:

According to Business Week, Greensboro will be the Guinea Pig for TWC's attempt to "upend a longstanding pricing strategy among Internet service providers." This is a serious affront to Greensboro's economic viability and demands all hands on deck.

If ever Greensboro was serious about inspiring innovation, attracting creative young people and fostering prosperity in industries of the future, it must recognize that impeding access to broadband internet in a way like only three other U.S. cities is a big, bold, speedy move to the bottom. It is the modern equivalent of being one of only a few cities where citizens must pay a fee for every mile they drive. Nobody would move to such a place. No business would expand to such a place. No energetic college student is going to stay in such a place after graduating.

This move demands swift and decisive action from Greensboro's leaders. This cannot be met with genteel, sleepy contemplation.

I wholeheartedly agree.

I'm with you, Roch. And TMW will assist in getting your complaints all the way to the front office, if necessary. I'm in complete opposition to this.

As Roch is suggesting, we need to demand the city rework (or even yank) the franchise agreement with Time Warner. Why don't we have viable competition for cable in this area? Ask or demand they postpone implementation and simultaneously, our city leaders need to look at municipal WiFi. The flip-side is that you will see a stepped-up presence by other ISPs such as AT&T and Clearwire because of this.

What about our schools, public buildings, health facilities, all of whom are likely Time Warner/Road Runner customers? Contracts, already inked...

This is probably more for my sister blog GreensboroMetro, but this area had better start getting serious about its long-term future. Because frankly, its viability and vitality are in serious doubt.

More from the News & Record, BusinessWeek.

E.C. :)