Update: AT&T agrees to buy DirecTV for $48.5 billion

[BrAinPaiNt]

The issue I have with the cable companies is that the satellite signal goes through the cable company's infrastructure which in turn, weakens the signal. The quality of a direct satellite signal vs one that goes through the cable company, i.e. u-verse, is much much better. The negative is that your satellite signal can be interrupted by heavy rain. Personally, I'll deal with losing my reception occasionally (although here in San Antonio it hardly ever rains) rather than get a weakened signal from the cable companies. And yes, you can tell the difference.

In my area...I keep my cable for my tv and my internet. The quality of Direct TV for me is not even close. But that is just me.

 

[Rockport]

In my area...I keep my cable for my tv and my internet. The quality of Direct TV for me is not even close. But that is just me.

I'm spoiled now and can't give up the satellite because of the quality.

 

[BigStar]

You can't get Dish Network...or Verizon for your phone?

Sure the price will go up for the ATT and Direct TV...but there are alternatives out there.

I have ATT service for my phone, no way I am switching to satellite though...sticking with my cable as I like it.

Alternatives on the same level of capability and service? And when that one is bought up? It's more of the trend that is disturbing; limiting options for consumers by monopolozing a medium that is universally dependended upon by the consumer population. Eventually, it won't be, "go to the next competitor", it will be, "do without the service," if you are unable to afford it (it was made unaffordable through organized collobration, not because the service itself has become more expensive). It is structured to allow the top org to "charge more for less" by eliminating competition. It doesn't effect you until it does kinda thing.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

Alternatives on the same level of capability and service? And when that one is bought up? It's more of the trend that is disturbing; limiting options for consumers by monopolozing a medium that is universally dependended upon by the consumer population. Eventually, it won't be, "go to the next competitor", it will be, "do without the service," if you are unable to afford it (it was made unaffordable through organized collobration, not because the service itself has become more expensive). It is structured to allow the top org to "charge more for less" by eliminating competition. It doesn't effect you until it does kinda thing.

If you say so...however...

Last time I read...you can still get Dish Network without getting ATT.
I can still get ATT without getting Direct TV and stick with my cable company.
I could get Verizon and drop my cable company for Dish Network.


I think more of this type of stuff is to start getting the money from some of the people who have stopped paying for both Cable TV and Sat TV and are now just going with stuff over the internet to watch what shows they want. In that area I could see making a big stink of it.

 

[BigStar]

If you say so...however...

Last time I read...you can still get Dish Network without getting ATT.
I can still get ATT without getting Direct TV and stick with my cable company.
I could get Verizon and drop my cable company for Dish Network.


I think more of this type of stuff is to start getting the money from some of the people who have stopped paying for both Cable TV and Sat TV and are now just going with stuff over the internet to watch what shows they want. In that area I could see making a big stink of it.

One more buyout and you wouldn't even have to worry about those pidgeon holed options

 

[Fizziksman]

Too big to fail status achieved ;_;

 

[Tabascocat]

Isn't this cutting it awfully close to a monopoly where anti-trust laws come into play?


an·ti·trust
ˌantēˈtrəst,ˌantī-/
adjective

1. of or relating to legislation preventing or controlling trusts or other monopolies, with the intention of promoting competition in business.

Examples of illegal practices are price-fixing conspiracies, corporate mergers likely to reduce the competitive vigor of particular markets, and predatory acts designed to achieve or maintain monopoly power.

Microsoft, ATT, and J.D. Rockefeller Oil are companies who have been convicted of antitrust practices.

 

[iceberg]

If you say so...however...

Last time I read...you can still get Dish Network without getting ATT.
I can still get ATT without getting Direct TV and stick with my cable company.
I could get Verizon and drop my cable company for Dish Network.

I think more of this type of stuff is to start getting the money from some of the people who have stopped paying for both Cable TV and Sat TV and are now just going with stuff over the internet to watch what shows they want. In that area I could see making a big stink of it.

i wish i could get verizon.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

i wish i could get verizon.

Not where I live you would not. Not much of a signal for Verizon in my area. Everyone that has had it has switched. But at the same time I have some friends a few hours away where it is the opposite. Crazy like that around here due to it being a rural area with lots of his and mountains.

 

[big dog cowboy]

In my area...I keep my cable for my tv and my internet. The quality of Direct TV for me is not even close. But that is just me.

I'm righit there with you BP. I just wish there was someone else who offered those services so there would be some kind of competition. It's either Cox or nothing.

 

[Jammer]

Isn't this cutting it awfully close to a monopoly where anti-trust laws come into play?


an·ti·trust
ˌantēˈtrəst,ˌantī-/
adjective

1. of or relating to legislation preventing or controlling trusts or other monopolies, with the intention of promoting competition in business.

Examples of illegal practices are price-fixing conspiracies, corporate mergers likely to reduce the competitive vigor of particular markets, and predatory acts designed to achieve or maintain monopoly power.

Microsoft, ATT, and J.D. Rockefeller Oil are companies who have been convicted of antitrust practices.

I don't understand how this is a monopoly. AT&T doesn't have a TV satellite service (that I know of). Direct TV is still competing with Dish for satellite service and there is still cable they have to compete with. Maybe I'm missing something.

 

[Tabascocat]

I don't understand how this is a monopoly. AT&T doesn't have a TV satellite service (that I know of). Direct TV is still competing with Dish for satellite service and there is still cable they have to compete with. Maybe I'm missing something.

Well, ATT now has satellite service at their disposal. That leaves ATT/DTV and Dish Network. That is the only two available satellite services. Regular cable has come to basically Comcast and Time-Warner which is owned by the same company, that is as close to a monopoly that you can get regular cable wise.

It will not be long before Dish Network is pushed out IMO, that leaves two monopolies....one for satellite and one for broadband. There are a few smaller cable companies but they represent a very small minority.

It is more along the lines of an oligopoly but it is fast-tracking to a monopoly if these trends continue.

 

[Jammer]

Well, ATT now has satellite service at their disposal. That leaves ATT/DTV and Dish Network. That is the only two available satellite services.

What were the satellite services before AT&T purchased DirectTV? Wasn't it still only the two? How is Dish getting pushed out?

Cable has been a monopoly since the beginning. I've never lived in an area where there was more than onecable provider, and I'm talking since the late 70's.

 

[Tabascocat]

What were the satellite services before AT&T purchased DirectTV? Wasn't it still only the two? How is Dish getting pushed out?

Cable has been a monopoly since the beginning. I've never lived in an area where there was more than onecable provider, and I'm talking since the late 70's.

I said IMO, this is not fact. I think ATT's acquisition of DirecTV will eventually lead to the demise of Dish Network. Little dogs don't stay on the porch for long if a bigger one is there

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I said IMO, this is not fact. I think ATT's acquisition of DirecTV will eventually lead to the demise of Dish Network. Little dogs don't stay on the porch for long if a bigger one is there

Unless another company buys/merges dish network.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

I'm righit there with you BP. I just wish there was someone else who offered those services so there would be some kind of competition. It's either Cox or nothing.

Luckily for us, our cable company has been pretty good for us. Knock on wood.

However you do bring up a good point because it is almost a geographic monopoly. The only other choice is satellite.

 

[iceberg]

so my internet has been up and down all day long. i finally call at&t cause i'm trying to sell a 91 jeep and my phone is voip based. i need to know if this is gonna get fixed soon. i get on my cell, i find the # to call for uverse support and directv support answered.

i'm out. *f* at&t in every sense of the word.