PAYG FTTC ?

One to have net neutrality advocates foaming at the mouth............

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2011/01/07/5232077.htm

"The platform turns the existing 'user-pays' broadband model upside down by employing a unique software metering engine that enables entertainment companies, merchants, and providers of educational and government services to pay, on a dynamic basis, the bandwidth charges for end users in order to reach them. In effect this creates the world's first '0800' application for broadband access to the internet."

This is on the taxpayer subsidised south yorks digital indulgence project. Free connection and pay to use it anyone ?

I doubt it will work. Why should content providers pay for customers to use their services? Even if they do, it's not real internet access, just a selection of providers on a private network, like AOL, Compuserve, Prodigy used to be and look what happened to them.

Yeah I posted about his on another thread..
http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/otherbb/t/3952925-r...

It's seems like a definite walled garden project.. but I can see that it could be useful, in particular for those who aren't interested in full fat internet. It could be used to provide informational services by the local authorities behind the network just as one example and a whole host of other things... all delivered to your tv.

Don't know who's going to pay for the cost of the box, and the connection charge to network however.

Overall I do think it's a good idea, provided it doesn't impact on traditional internet services..

I cant read the url as I get redirected.

If I understand you right the end user would have a connection with no subscription and usage costs, and the content provider pays the cost for them using the connection?

Seems a bit silly, with the cost of broadband here now days (cheapest in world just about) I think we need to stop trying to make things cheaper for the end user. There is net cafe's and libraries for people who simply refuse to have it in the home but may want occasional access.

In reply to a post by Chrysalis:

I cant read the url as I get redirected.

The same site that swampster posted in the linked thread works without redirection.

In reply to a post by Chrysalis:

I cant read the url as I get redirected.

Try this one:

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/-digital-region-ltd-di...

bizarrely the URL works if you go to it twice.

Yes, the idea is that there are no fixed costs to the user similar to an 0800 dialup internet provider. Costs are met by the service providers but could be reclaimed from the user in a different way to current models.

It may not be a matter of making it cheaper, but changing the payment model. Many in the target audience probably have PAYG phones and probably spend more than they would on a contract, but they may not have a bank account or may have an irregular income that keeps them away from fixed monthly payments.

It appears to allow real micromanagement of what services you wish to use... looking at the http://www.boxtop.tv/ website (the company behind the system).. it looks like it can provide a real granular service... you want simply email, that's all you get, you want an online movie library.. that's what you have.

It appears to work through an 'apps' like system, similar to some of the bundles provided by TV manufacturers on their latest connected sets... except this comes with the connectivity as well.

Also bear in mind that this service could run consecutively on the same connection as full fat internet, at least that's how I understand it, basically on a seperate VLAN. I have a sneaking suspicion DRL might simply be using this system to provide tools for content providers.. such as movies on demand subscription companies..

Edited by deleted (Sun 09-Jan-11 13:12:05)

yeah, could go in parallel or over an internet link but the spiel is all about using this as a vehicle to get the net into disconnected homes...

" It has the potential to benefit all involved and could fundamentally change how many households get online," comments David Carr, CEO, Digital Region Ltd. "It will enable providers of services such as councils, healthcare, education and businesses to reach households who would otherwise remain unconnected "

similar claims have been made by Youview.

I understand what you mean but I would have thought 3G PAYG net access covers that angle.

You know how the connectivity works, eg. if its adsl what happens if there is no phone line?

Which brings to mind, the scam of payg electricity meters where the people pay a lot more per unit...

To me boxtop.tv looks like capital venture firm, that may burn through capital in the hope that content providers will pay to be on the platform. In the days when advertising on sites paid well it might have, or for content where you pay the provider to view the content it might.

SYDR is VDSL they could do full MPF sub-loop unbundling (as Rutland do) and not charge line rental.

3G PAYG requires a computer and a level of capability that a set top box and a TV remote do not.

Nothing stopping you having 3G direct into a set top box, the little 3G routers show it can be done.

What 3G would struggle at is per per view video, which I suspect is where this is really going to go.

Nothing stopping you having 3G direct into a set top box

true, but the bandwidth isn't there and SYDR is a VDSL operator.

payg electricity meters where the people pay a lot more per unit

I thought that got regulated - Npower seem to have the same unit rates for both although the standing charge collection is different (credit tariffs collect it from the first block of unit charges).

Agreed, the issue will be the voice line rental, and how SYDR get around that, the £8 ish a month for MPF could prove expensive if people don't use the STB much at all, then add on the cost recovery from their network.

I suspect the type of household who are payg mobile and no internet, will have also dumped the telephone line already to save the £12 or so a month for the line rental. Those on the BT social tariffs may have retained it.

In my opinion they would be better off doing a very basic package at say £7 a month which included access to NHS/local gov websites, with a simple 0.5GB allowance, and provide a STB that connects to the TV. Then people would have option to browse other sites within allowance, and top up usage as they wish.

Plusnet (local to SYDR) already offer very cheap broadband in Market 3 areas, so if people aren't buying that, then price of the connection is not the issue, but the thing is using a computer.

I got another but here tho.

There seems to be currently a targeting of affluent areas on the VDSL rollout whilst this service would be primarily used by people that arent affluent.

Are we sure this is supposed to be the prime purpose of it? or more as someone else said for selling PAYG movies etc.

In reply to a post by yarwell:

SYDR is VDSL they could do full MPF sub-loop unbundling (as Rutland do) and not charge line rental.

You can do this on SYDR.. if you connect with a DR ISP, you can drop your standard voice service/line rental and just have the VDSL over the line. Some of the ISP's provide their own VoiP solutions, others don't..

I'm not certain how it works if the BT service is already dropped but there is a physical connection back to the cab, I'm guessing you can still connect for the standard £75 fee.

I really think this will be used in two potential ways... that is to provide those who can't/don't/won't have a PC in the home. And/Or as I suggested and others picked up on a means to provide premium services to content providers for services such as VoD.

Edited by deleted (Mon 10-Jan-11 10:52:13)

it's not BT's FTTC rollout it's EU subsidised South Yorks Digital Region.

ahh sorry so this is just one region ok.