Reader comments
iProvo losses mounting

Gretzky | 7:30 a.m. Oct. 3, 2007

it never pays for a city to "own" a utility!!! that's basic Master's of Public Administration knowledge. One positive thing i have heard about iProvo is that you can watch BYU and Utah on the mtn. or CSTV etc along with the NFL and so forth.

Peterson | 7:49 a.m. Oct. 3, 2007

I would have to disagree. Provo City Utilities runs a tight ship on the electrical side. Provo has the lowest electrical rates in Utah County.

On the i-provo side, thank the state--for requiring that cities be wholesalers of these products, instead of retailers.

I have a friend who creates websites, and does a lot of internet business. She tells me that i-provo's internet connections are "screaming fast." (Her words, not mine)

Jesse Harris | 8:18 a.m. Oct. 3, 2007

What Comcast won't tell you is that they don't have the infrastructure to support 150Mbps even with DOCSIS 3.0 deployed. Ever notice how the "high" channels like Comedy Central look all fuzzy and washed out? It's because they're compressing channels to try and save bandwidth. With the number of HD and On Demand channels they plan to add next year, they'll barely be able to offer their current Internet speeds much less ramp up to 150Mbps, a change that would require 4 channels of bandwidth instead of the current single channel. They can't even use the max capacity of 45Mbps that their current DOCSIS 2.0 equipment offers.

Believe me when I say that Comcast can promise away, but they lack the ability to actually deliver.

Comments continue below

L | 9:16 a.m. Oct. 3, 2007

While I have no first hand knowledge, but it would seem to me that either the price must not be competive with what others provide that meets their needs, or there is a problem with the confidence in the long-term stability of the system for them (why change and then have to change back)or there is a marketing problem.

While the system may have great capabilities, not everyone needs all of the capabilities at this time. While all dial-up internet customers may like greater speed, they may have a hard time justifying it to themselves and their budget if all they do is send and receive e-mail on the internet.

Somewhat about the same debate as a new car, a lot of people might like to have a new BMW or something, but for right now the old Ford with still get them back and fort to work.

I don't live in Provo, sometimes I wish I did till I get involved in their traffic, ( go there frequently) but I think iProvo it is an asset to the city .... maybe it might eventually help the traffic problems. I hope it turns out to be a success !

R Biddulph | 10:05 a.m. Oct. 3, 2007

I am a landlord for college students in SLC. No Internet provider provides filtered content. Wouldn't that be a natural product for Internet providers to market in Utah?

Anonymous | 10:24 a.m. Oct. 3, 2007

Why would I use IProvo internet when I can get it for half the price with Comcast?

highway61 | 10:52 a.m. Oct. 3, 2007

The perspective on this project is all wrong. Does anyone talk about the "losses" that mount due to highway repairs? It's a pain to spend money on infrastructure, but that's just the nature of the beast. Treat mass transportation and technology like the infrastructure investments that they are, and it will become apparent that these initiatives are doing pretty well--unlike highways, they actually offset some of their own costs!

paintmequick | 10:53 a.m. Oct. 3, 2007

Iprovo: New World

Comcast: Old World

I am jealous!!!!

Bob in Petaluma

Rich | 11:43 a.m. Oct. 3, 2007

The problem is an internet provider cannot legally filter content. If you're students want filtered content, that's what software like NetNanny is for. They are adults. Let them choose for themselves.

Couldge | 12:12 p.m. Oct. 3, 2007

Hey Gretzky,
Where did you get your MPA? I'm pretty sure that Provo City doesn't own MSTAR or any of the other companies. It owns the infrastructure in the same way cities own streets, sewer, and water lines. I would prefer the city to own most basic utilities such as power and sewer because otherwise you'd have a private company with monopolistic power.

comcast half-price | 1:58 p.m. Oct. 3, 2007

Comcast's internet is only half price because iProvo is competing with them. When they were the only dog in town... they were charging a premium full price. Bravo to the invisible hand... when there is competition the consumer wins.

Mr. Anonymous... you're winning the price war with Comcast...thanks to iProvo.

You're welcome.

richierich32 | 4:15 p.m. Oct. 3, 2007

What is the going rate (monthly) for Comcast High Speed Internet? I think that I pay $48.

Anonymous | 10:30 p.m. Oct. 3, 2007

iProvo will continue to lose money until they reach a certain number of subscribers or current subscribers start shelling out more cash for more services. New technology/infrastructure is expensive. However, if they do their marketing right and fix their usability issues then they will do just fine in the long run. Nevertheless, their projections might be overly optimistic, which means that iProvo will be subsidized for a VERY long time.

Penelope | 10:46 p.m. Oct. 3, 2007

I resented Comcast at "the only kid in town" but finally subscribed because it was the only alternative to dial-up where I live in Provo. My service is extremely fast and Comcast has been reliable. The price is "competitive". My former neighbor was a consultant for the fiberoptic network that everyone except Provo bought and he said it would bring prices down. I don't see that iProvo has done that. And from friends I know who subscribe to one of their providers, the service is poor (at the best). I personally think Provo should have gotten on the bandwagon with the other communities instead of waiting and doing it themselves. They'll be carrying the noteon this long after the system is antiquated.

Tech Lover | 6:28 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

There is sooo much inaccuracy in many of these comments. I beg you to seek the truth. Comcast charges much less today than pre-iProvo. iProvo providers are very competitive compared to Comcast and they provide an Internet product that makes Comcast feel like "watching paint dry".Try 15 MB up and down compared to 5 or 6 MB down and 768 K up at best with Comcast and very few Comcast customers have it that good. The money saved by Provo residents on these services due to competition far exceeds the losses. Do you think any of those "service is poor" folks have issues with their PC like viruses or 386 CPU hardware? Some will always have trouble. PCs require alot of maintenance.

WHAT!?! | 7:56 a.m. Oct. 4, 2007

Penelope

You are clearly jaded and your opinion is poisoned by your "neigbor consultant" who consults for utopia. Your comment sounds like you've bought into the Utopia hype... Utopia is an acronym ... not an actual utopia. It's far from what the name suggests.

I have many neigbors that continue to use comcast because when iProvo became an option, all of the sudden comcast became cheaper. Provo residents could get significant discounts on services that Orem residents could NOT get... because Orem does not have the competition that iProvo provides.

I am on the iProvo network. Yes there have been hicups during initial setup but they have been just as reliable, if not more so, as comcast ever was.

Not to mention the speeds are faster. Plain and simple... FASTER! iProvo upload speeds (which comast will not budge on) are full throttle.

Good luck to Utopia on getting to use public easements to build their private network. They just don't have the clout to get it done in 100% of every city. Just like water and sewar... the pipes should be a public works matter...with no exception to THE BIG PIPE!

Anonymous | 3:26 p.m. Aug. 4, 2009

Yhe comment about the higher channels by Jesse Harris is stupid. If he knows about bandwidth like he says he does, then he will know that the digital change has freed up plenty. Now you don't have to carry a frequency for a digital and a seperate one for analog. When Comcast releases all those hd channels and 3.0 that you speak of you will also be needing to pick up a small box for every tv in your home. Gone are the days plugging a cable into your tv and getting analog 2 through 99. There will be plenty of bandwith. Step into the now. Comcast will beat any of your mom and pop providers. Just a little tidbit for you. Comcast just became the 3rd largest phone company in America as well. Put that in your pipe.

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