[sllug-members]: Bad UTOPIA news - let's do something about it

[Jason Edwards]

Warren,

Thanks for that explanation, it certainly clears up a lot of questions for me.

Jason

On Jan 3, 2008 3:35 PM,  <warrenw at xmission.com> wrote:
> Quoting Jason Edwards <jtanium at gmail.com>:
>
> > So, then, what's the deal?  If people in a UTOPIA enabled footprint
> > are being bombarded with ads, why is the adoption rate so low...?
>
> The $202 million question.  Here are some observations:
>
> Opposition is playing with numbers a bit.  In citing the current
> percentages, they usually play up the actuals against the originally
> proposed time frame, which was severely delayed by RUS funding and
> legal obstructions from Qwest.  If you actually consider the
> percentage of subs per residences that have it available, the numbers
> are still short, but not anywhere near as damning.
>
> MDU support was mishandled.  A large percentage of population in these
> cities are in apartment complexes that don't have UTOPIA available at
> all.  PacketFront is trying to address this issue now.
>
> Poor selection of early footprints.  Areas were built out largely
> based on proximity to the main framework, and often ended up being
> those areas that are less interested in these sorts of services.
>
> Incumbent pressure.  Some UTOPIA communities have seen incumbents
> drastically discount their prices which makes even UTOPIA costs seem
> high.
>
> As mentioned in this discussion, poor overall education.  Some people
> just don't understand what it is.  This has been a pet peeve of mine
> for a couple of years, although I freely admit that direct marketing
> makes sense for the immediate sale.
>
> People surveyed said "Yeah, I'd love to subscribe to that kind of
> service."  But when the piper called, they realize they're stuck in a
> two year contract and aren't willing to bet their phone and TV on a
> company they never heard of, anyway.  I predict this take rate will
> greatly increase as time passes.
>
> Fear of early adoption.  We all know there is a price to be paid for
> being new to technology.  Some people just aren't willing to gamble on
> the stability of their phone or TV and want to give it a few years
> before they take the plunge.  Again, more reason I expect take rates
> to drastically increase as time passes.
>
> Speeds.  Another pet peeve of mine.  DynamicCity and PacketFront have
> always wanted to exploit the potential speeds of fiber.  And while
> that's all well and good, some people just have no interest whatsoever
> in 15 or 50 Mbps of internet, but just want be able to use the phone
> and internet at the same time for much less monthly cost.  UTOPIA
> currently has no solution for these users, and that is a mistake I am
> personally attempting to correct.
>
> All the other reasons, well, we're still trying to figure those out.
> There is no model anywhere in the world UTOPIA can look to for
> guidance.  It is completely unique, and as such we're learning as we go.
>
>
>
> Warren S. N. Woodward
> Director, Broadband Services
> XMission Internet
> warrenw at xmission.com
> (801) 303-0819
> (877) XMISSION  ext 119
>
>
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