NewtonPA.com

It's been quiet again so I thought I would stir the pot up a little - this time regarding utilities and services available to Newton residents - specifically telephone, cable and broad band.  The choices are few.

A recent article appearing in one of my tech newsletters (http://www.winxpnews.com) described an emerging broadband technology called WiMax or 802.16.  With a range of 30 miles to the tower and speeds of 75Mbps – many times faster than the typical cable or DSL connection, it appears to be a viable competitor for broadband Internet access, especially for the small office and home users (SOHO).  The newsletter asked if this new technology would be in our future and my response to them (in quotes) is below.  

"We need competition in the rural areas.  Currently, my local Telco provides DSL ($50 per mo.) but won't allow other providers/ISP's or carriers to access their equipment & lines.    Ditto for broadband cable - only one cable company out here in the boonies, take it or have nothing.  Wireless - only 2 carriers have towers my area, it's no signal for everyone else.  As you said, satellite is slow (latency) and living in a heavily wooded and hilly terrain, line of sight (TV or data) to the satellite is blocked.  So 802.16 would be very welcome - if the price was competitive."

In addition, I would like to add the following observations to this forum:

PP&L is the only utility that allows a choice in electric providers an unlike the deregulation power debacle that occurred in California, PP&L and it's partners have provided excellent services and choices.  That's the good news.

Cable TV - I believe the thieves at Adelphia have a lock on the township.  As any resident knows, there have been several rate increases in the past two years.  This household now pays $46.96 a month for the basic 72 channels with no premium channels.  My step-dad up in Clifford has Adams CATV and for the exact same services and channels he pays $36.45 a month.  How come?

Land Line Telephone - as far as I know, the only land line telephone service available in Newton is Commonwealth Telephone.  No complaints but excluding our ability to choose our long distance carrier, we are limited to the services provided by them (versus Verizon).

Wireless telephone - only AT&T and Verizon at our house, and in some areas even less.  Not enough towers out here in Newton.

DSL- linked with Commonwealth under the Epix/Jack Flash banner.  While I'm happy with their DSL service (but not the $49.99 per month) there are other and cheaper plans out there from providers, especially Verizon.  Commonwealth refuses to let any other ISP or phone company provide DSL service over their equipment.  Why?

I realize that Adelphia offers broadband internet access for $42.95 a month but as a retired IT professional, I feel DSL offers a higher level of security and more consistent speed over cable broadband.

I don't know if any of the above are issues that come before the Newton supervisors or even if township supervisors have any influence.  I was under the impression they had to sign off on the cable franchise and I if so, did they negotiate the best deal for their residents?  Or was the franchise/contract rubber stamped?

So many questions, so few township officials willing to talk.

I would be curious as to how other residents feel about all this.  Is the price we pay for living in rural America?

Hi JoeP.  I have worked for Verizon since it was the old 'Bell Telephone' and as such have seen things from the stand point of a land lines telephone monopoly.  Many of the competitors out there do not want the rural areas because of the higher cost of doing business ( more poles and cable, etc., per customer).  Right now in Verizon territory (ex. Scranton) you can get other companies to provide your telephone service.  But again the competitors go where the profits are more lucrative especially the bigger cities like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, etc.   The more people in a given area the less it costs to do business.  And even to being only available to business customers and not residential customers because businesses will use more of the services offered, hence a higher profit.

Thanks Susie.  I will say this about Verizon - they have great customer service and support.  We had AT&T wireless for years and when we upgraded to AT&T's "GSM" technology things went down hill pretty fast.  Not only was GSM unreliable, their expensive handsets were equally bad.  AT&T basically ignored months of Emails, phone calls, complaints, from me, the BBB and State's Attorney General Office.  Quite simply, they ran the warranty clock down.  The only time AT&T showed any interest in resolving matters was when the contracts expired.  Of course, we told them what they could do with that.

So they lost 3 customers in this household, and two of my children who live on their own.  We all have Verizon wireless and we are very pleased.

It would be great if folks who read this forum share their consumer experiences here (both good and bad) with local stores and establishments as well as those with any national business that impacts us in our home and community - like wireless services, etc.

Joe

Hey JoeP,  That's a great idea about consumer services.  I know myself that when I have needed contractor services, a new car, etc. that many times I have asked around to get people's opinions on products and services.  I would rather go to a recommended dealer, store or contractor than go into something blind if I can help it.