Maybe as a final poke, I mean tribute, to Cox we can name the new convention center the Google Fiber Convention Center and have the dedication of that name on the same day the Cox gets torn down.

I don't understand the complexities of right of way, and all the other regulations imposed on AT&T and Cox, but you can rest assured that OKC will bend over backwards for Google, for example, build the fiber network for Google and lease it to them like other cities have done. I'm sure all Cox and AT&T want is similar consideration.

But as said above, this whole Google announcement is great for competition!!!

I seriously doubt OKC is going to build and lease *three* fiber networks to three separate companies...?

The city will probably eventually be obligated to lease fiber to all interested parties (in this case Cox and AT&T).

Of course we'll bend over backwards for Google Fiber...we've been bending over for Cox Internet for years!

More like 'bending forward' for years.

I'm not sure whether or not we have Verizon. As far as I know, we don't. Hate AT&T, haven't had any bad experiences with Cox.

In Norman I have only access to Cox in my neighborhood. I don't live in an unpopulated area or very far out of the way (I'm in Brookhaven). ATT just doesn't offer service.

Not that I would get ATT service. I need speed man. SPEED

Bit of a rant here but -

Comcast is DEFINITELY the worst, maybe not so much for service (as it is fairly OK here in Seattle area) but definitely for Customer (what customer) Service and pricing. Absolutely ridiculous crap they sell here; every package has a ridiculous amount of channels which you WILL NOT USE. No offense, but EVERY and I mean EVERY package has 1/3 of its channels in Spanish and Comcast STILL OFFERS additional LATINO specific packages which cost extra. So, if I just want the normal package, I have to put up with 1/3 to 2/3 of channels I definitely will not use (sorry, we're Asian American) and there isn't a comparable free or priced option for say, Chinese or Korean (both of whom have very significant populations multitudes over anywhere south of the border). I don't get it ONE BIT, which is why we ONLY get Comcast Internet.

I got SICK and tired of paying north of $200 for a Preferred + TV package (HD extra, DVR extra) with a so called any room DVR service (which by the way, is extra) known as X1 and any additional outlet is extra and the HD technology fee and telephone service fee is extra. You don't even get a free set to enjoy your HD package that you paid for in the Preferred + yet you get 50 free channels from latino nations that should be part of their paid package or at least offer more than the two Chinese channels; one is a multi-cultural channel from Washington DC the other piped in from LA. HORRIBLE, I thought Seattle had a reputation as a so-called Pacific Rim city. .. Not according to Comcast, we're deep in the heart of Texas/Oklahoma as I'd expect to see this programming on Cox OKC (and would be fine with it).

Let me say, I have nothing wrong against other people. I just feel that Comcast totally is missing thIS market (Seattle area) whose minority population (what little it is, btw) is dominated by Asians and Asian Americans. There should be 'free' channels included in 'normal' packages for the top minorities we have: Vietnamese, Chinese (Cantonese then Taiwanese), and then Korean. We do have the Korean channel KBS and our piped in Chinese channel from LA is Taiwanese, but have to pay for the China package and it's selection is hiddeous. Do they not know that there are thousands of channels available from Mainland China alone, not to mention plenty from Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Philippines, - all countries with fairly significant populations in this area - Instead, they force all of these channels from Mexico or translated into Spanish on us, Seattle has less than 5% hispanic population; who watches that???

- End Rant

Be thankful for what you have with Cox. Also be thankful OKC has some terrestrial choices in AT&T FIOS, Verizon (dont you guys?), and upcoming with Google. Here, it's Comcast or else, and Comcast knows it (hence the HORRIFIC customer 'service').

I have Comcast Xfinity. I was happy with them at first, but now I agree. They are the worst, most evil and tantalizing company I have ever had the displeasure of doing business with. Can't wait to drop them.

Anyone else notice the sudden proliferation of Cox commercials talking about their Gigablast internet coming soon?

Also, check out Google's job postings. Two OKC jobs for Google Fiber.

11775

Anyone else notice the sudden proliferation of Cox commercials talking about their Gigablast internet coming soon?

Also, check out Google's job postings. Two OKC jobs for Google Fiber.

11775

No you are wrong remember Google is only exploring the idea of adding fiber to OKC. The Oklahoman has the final word.

/s

Anyone else notice the sudden proliferation of Cox commercials talking about their Gigablast internet coming soon?

Also, check out Google's job postings. Two OKC jobs for Google Fiber.

11775

Wish there was something for a Network Engineer

There likely will be, soon my friend. :D

It looks like AT&T has decided to prepare for competition in this market.

AT&T to offer fastest Internet speeds to OKC and Tulsa | News OK (http://newsok.com/att-to-offer-fastest-internet-speeds-to-okc-and-tulsa/article/5465268)

^

I happen to know that one of the first places they will offer the service is in areas of downtown OKC.

Ah the free market is a thing of beauty

Google Fiber is to AT&T and Cox as On Cue is to 7 Eleven.

Google Fiber is to AT&T and Cox as On Cue is to 7 Eleven.

Beautiful analogy.

I hope Google Fiber has cleaner bathrooms.

p.s. I think, as a matter of federal law, any time the letters "ATT" appear together or that miserable swirling ball logo appears, the "Imperial Death March" from Star Wars should be played in the background to remind people just what they're dealing with.

Ah the free market is a thing of beauty

What part of the telecommunications industry do you consider "free market"?

An old AT&T tech told me gig should be coming within the next 3 months to the quail springs area.

I brought this up in another thread, but is anybody seeing oncue's with phillips 66 signs?

Google Fiber is already calling on businesses and telling them service will be available Sep/Oct of this year and that homes will start to get it Q2 2017.

I guess we passed the 'evaluation' stage. :)

Google Fiber is already calling on businesses with and telling them service will be available Sep/Oct of this year and that homes will start to get in Q2 2017.

I guess we passed the 'evaluation' stage. :)

But but but but...the Oklahoman said..........oh, never mind :cool: :tongue::wink::evilsmile

They now have 4 open jobs:

http://www.okctalk.com/images/pete/fiber010416a.jpg

Google Fiber is already calling on businesses with and telling them service will be available Sep/Oct of this year and that homes will start to get in Q2 2017.

I guess we passed the 'evaluation' stage. :)

Wait...they didn't explicitly promise us that google fiber will be rolled out to every single resident in the OKC metro by next week... well we are definitely not "getting" google fiber.

Do we have any idea which areas of the metro they are going to begin residential service in?

I know they've already talked to some businesses in the core and with some residential developments that will be coming on-line in about year are already talking to them as well.

I bet the area around the MAPS 3 park will be among the first, as they have already started with utility relocation. I believe they will lay fiber then connect it later.

Free public wi-fi in the park running off gfibs? That would be awesome...

Would be awesome to get free public wifi all over downtown.

Would be awesome to get free public wifi all over downtown.

It could definitely be one more benefit we have, that most cities do not.

It could definitely be one more benefit we have, that most cities do not.

I've always heard that you get free WiFi in Ponca City. Ponca City, OK - Wi-Fi (Free Wireless Internet) (http://www.poncacityok.gov/wifi)

I live in Warr Acres (no AT&T) so I would love to have a chance to ditch Cox and go with Google Fiber. However, I seriously doubt it will get here much before 2050.....

I dk guys newsok hasn't reported it yet, sure this is true?

(Ducks to avoid objects being thrown)

When this was announced, I did ask a Cox person what their response was going to be. They said they were rolling out their gig service, but guess what, it was going to cost more than their regular internet service. I asked "well if google fiber comes in and it's gig service is half of what you're charging for your lower service, why would anyone want to stay with Cox?" Needless to say, they replied with some canned Cox customer service response that basically said to me "we aren't going to lower prices and we think our customers will stay with us because of loyalty and services". My comment back was, heck I already dropped your phone and your cable, what are you going to do to convince me to keep your last remaining product? Their reply wasn't worth mentioning because it was a waste of time. So basically Cox doesn't have a good game plan at all.

I think back to the days when they came to town and we all did a dance in the street to be able to get all these features and good service and tell AT&T to suck it. 20 years later, and Cox is turning into AT&T. And unless they stop making contracts that drive up the cable cost, they're not going to make it there either. Comcast has had to buy up (with HUGE debt) a lot of companies because they had to diversify away from the old tv/internet world. They've made so many bad decisions and have consistently been rated the lowest in customer satisfaction, they don't know what to do except buy someone to fluff themselves up. That tells me they have no high level vision and are focused too much on shareholders than having a good product (which attracts customers and grows the company organically). Such is the world we live in...screw the employee and customer if it makes an extra buck for the board.

Cox will be like Blockbuster Video when Netflix came out...

People had been burned for so long and so often with Blockbuster (they would always ding you with silly and excessive late fees) that as soon as they had a choice, they fled in droves.

Then, Blockbuster basically offered the same service as Netlflix and even supported it with brick and mortar stores but by then all anybody wanted was to not do business with Blockbuster any more. Before long, a once mega-business was completely bankrupt and closed down.

After my experiences with Cox, even if they offered a better service for less money I would still not ever use them again if given the option. And I bet a huge amount of their customers feel exactly the same way.

Cox as a cable provider is a gasping example of a dying business model. They're not stupid; they know what's going on, and they see the handwriting on the wall. They're doing what they can to retain customers and revenue, and they know to remain relevant they have to reinvent their business model.

I think their long-term plan, deep in their heart-of-hearts, is to migrate away from cable TV and move toward becoming a pure data pipe provider. Virtually every content provider around is developing or has released some sort of streaming content model, so even if Cox doesn't change, the providers around them will. Heck, look at the offering from SlingTV, or even that of specific channels like HBOGo.

Cox is, in effect, reliving part of the original, old failed "AtHome" cablemodem-based Internet service from the early 90's. AtHome, if you remember, was the original HSI offering through Cox, and it was great - the only problem was that the wrong kinds of people got the helm of AtHome, and convinced them they should be a content *provider* as well - something no one wanted - and when they invested heavily in products their customers didn't want, their business failed. Cox took it over - and now, ~20 years later, they're trying to continue as an aggregate content provider when the world really just wants a big, fast, cheap data pipe.

Google gets it. I suspect someone at Cox does, but the harder they grasp to remain that aggregate provider, the more I wonder....

some canned Cox customer service response that basically said to me "we aren't going to lower prices and we think our customers will stay with us because of loyalty and services"

I have NO loyalty to Cox, I WILL be a Google Fiber customer if/when they come to Mustang, and what I do on Cox's grave WON'T pass for flowers. As with you, I already deleted their cable and phone from my life. As Pete says, it isn't even about money any longer at this point. I know Cox isn't listening, but they really should. I am not saying I 'plan' to switch from Cox the first opportunity I get, I am saying I have ***ALREADY*** made the decision to do so. It is a done deal.

They're doing what they can to retain customers

I'm sorry, I disagree. Can you provide an example of what they are doing to retain customers? I will provide an example of how they are not.

I had Cox cable. Now I do not. Why? Simple. I was a TiVo user. To the tune of four of them still currently plugged in (they can do things other than just cable), and a couple lying around that I no longer use. I paid for the CableCards, which Cox did everything in their power to not support. I complained no less than three times to the FCC, each time their response to the FCC was "We worked with the customer, he is now satisfied". BULL****! The final straw was when they rolled out SDV, the tuning adapter they use is a huge, power-hungry piece of ****. They were constantly losing channels, I had to call and reactivate them literally every two weeks. On my own, I researched the issue and found that it was a known bug with the firmware on the tuning adapter, and was fixed with an update. At this time I'm working with the 'executive resolution team' (what a joke) and let them know I've found the solution, I just need them to push an update that, at that time, had been available for a YEAR. It was not new, it was a fully-tested and deployed to the field update.

Cox refused, saying that they didn't consider the problem big enough. They admitted there was a problem, they admitted this was the solution, they just didn't care. This whole time they are singing the praises of their piece of **** DVR and telling me it had no problems whatsoever (incidental for those who swallow Cox's lies...their DVR uses CableCards as well, so when they tell you it's an untested technology, they are lying). So I basically nail the guy down with "So you are telling me switching to your DVR will solve all my problems?" "Yes! Of course!" "So....you're saying my channels are not going to work with TiVo, only your DVR?" At this point he senses he walked into a trap but it has sprung and is too late. He tells me there are no plans to update the firmware on the tuning adapter, so I tell him if I'm not getting the channels I'm paying for, I'm no longer paying for them.

When I returned the equipment to the store, it was a fairly easy process, the people behind the counter seemed a bit beat down and saw no point in trying to save me as a customer. No attempt made whatsoever. While I was there, three others came in to return their equipment.

I ask again, can you give an example of what they are doing to retain customers? Because I don't think my experience is it. I don't think the rate hike in this month's bill is it either. Cox's attitude is still "**** you, you have no choice". Some day, the response from customers is going to be "No, **** YOU, we have a choice now".

While to some extent I agree with people being ready to flee cable companies, I also expect a lot would put up with them if they did use price to their advantage. The time it takes to deploy does give them far more time than Blockbuster had to react, granted it also gives them more time to deny the ship is sinking, plus Blockbuster had been waning before Netflix and they also tried a lot of half measures like creating a Redbox style competitor but the machines were clearly not ready for mass use so was just a waste of critical resources.

At least some of the cable operators have already taken to reduced prices in the areas where there is fiber competition has come (some down to the street/neighborhood level, granted that just helps bring up customer frustration levels and add more motivation out their door when the alternative becomes available to them). They also already have the expensive part of the network deployed only needing cheaper upgrades to provide gigabit speed and more flexibility in offering lower priced tiers when they eventually have to react. If nothing else they can fall back on the value tiers of internet really should be considered since that at least protects the TV revenue side, since there are real limit on what Google can charge having when laying out an entirely new network, that leaves probably at least two tiers below google's lowest offering anywhere they have legacy connections.

I'm sure a lot of older people will stick with cable, as it's just easier and they won't care about 1G internet.

Cox won't die overnight, especially since it will take time to roll out Google Fiber and Cox is in other markets as well.

They will just continue a slow death spiral that will probably last a couple of decades.

However, there are plenty of people -- myself including -- who will flee from them at the earliest opportunity.

...What are they doing to retain customers???



My apologies - didn't qualify my statement enough. All I meant was they were doing from *their* perspective what they thought was necessary to grasp their dying cable-based customer model. FWIW, the guys and gals who run the customer support phones aren't the problem, so I avoid griping at them too much - they're just saying what the scripts tell them to say to angry customers.

I certainly understand the frustration from the individual customer perspective. They have no interest in solving any one customer's issues - particularly when that customer is trying to save money. I fought (and lost) a war with Cox over DRM issues they leverage to force individuals to rent DVR's and service from them; I set up an internal whole-home networked DVR service with a networked cable tuner, but the tuner won't decode channels Cox slaps with DRM protections - and that's every channel that's not OTA. For OTA channels, it's awesome and works great, and it was cheaper even in the first year over "upgrading" to "Contour" service - except for the DRM garbage (and I detailed that in a separate post). And they had zero incentive to help, because they knew what I was doing. So I feel your pain!!!! The DVR business is a *horrendous* racket on Cox's part - and they know it - by charging for the DVR rental *AND* the DVR "service" on top of it.

I will be happy when Google Fiber comes to Oklahoma City, but I have a feeling they won't always be able to offer these super fast speeds at these cheap prices. Another provider laying fiber/network lines is always a good thing though for competition.

I will be happy when Google Fiber comes to Oklahoma City, but I have a feeling they won't always be able to offer these super fast speeds at these cheap prices. Another provider laying fiber/network lines is always a good thing though for competition.

Why not? Other countries have figured out how to do it. The price of broadband in America is a sick joke.

America Pays More For Internet, Gets Slower Speeds, Than Other Countries (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/31/internet-speeds_n_6078204.html)

https://valme.io/c/technology/vkqqs/the-cost-to-connect-internet-prices-around-the-world/

Internet Speeds In The US And Around The World - Business Insider (http://www.businessinsider.com/internet-speeds-in-the-us-and-around-the-world-2014-5)

Why is broadband more expensive in the US? - BBC News (http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24528383)

This is how Internet speed and price in the U.S. compares to the rest of the world | PBS NewsHour (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/internet-u-s-compare-globally-hint-slower-expensive/)

Why not? Other countries have figured out how to do it. The price of broadband in America is a sick joke.

America Pays More For Internet, Gets Slower Speeds, Than Other Countries (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/31/internet-speeds_n_6078204.html)

https://valme.io/c/technology/vkqqs/the-cost-to-connect-internet-prices-around-the-world/

Internet Speeds In The US And Around The World - Business Insider (http://www.businessinsider.com/internet-speeds-in-the-us-and-around-the-world-2014-5)

Why is broadband more expensive in the US? - BBC News (http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24528383)

This is how Internet speed and price in the U.S. compares to the rest of the world | PBS NewsHour (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/internet-u-s-compare-globally-hint-slower-expensive/)

Well, there's a risk of spiraling off into the political here, so I'll just make this comment and move on...I just don't think these are pure apples-to-apples comparisons. ..okay, it's great that Seoul has cheap, fast Internet, but I contrast that to the broader economy of the Koreas....if the government owns the media for the service, doesn't that imply the ability to pre-emptively monitor or control content with the force of government behind it?

I mean, there are no panaceas, and I think fast Internet prices are too high, but I also think there's an unstated opposite end of the spectrum that makes the broader equation considerably more complicated than "Seoul is cheap, why aren't we?"

Why not? Other countries have figured out how to do it. The price of broadband in America is a sick joke.

America Pays More For Internet, Gets Slower Speeds, Than Other Countries (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/31/internet-speeds_n_6078204.html)

https://valme.io/c/technology/vkqqs/the-cost-to-connect-internet-prices-around-the-world/

Internet Speeds In The US And Around The World - Business Insider (http://www.businessinsider.com/internet-speeds-in-the-us-and-around-the-world-2014-5)

Why is broadband more expensive in the US? - BBC News (http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-24528383)

This is how Internet speed and price in the U.S. compares to the rest of the world | PBS NewsHour (http://www.pbs.org/newshour/updates/internet-u-s-compare-globally-hint-slower-expensive/)

If you notice most of the countries and cities that have these higher speeds also probably have a lot more people per square mile than the US does.

Cox will figure it out. They'll survive. The difference between Cox and Blockbuster is that no one needed a physical copy of a movie anymore, that's what ultimately killed Blockbuster. People will continue to need data, that's not going away. Their monopoly is what's going away.

Cox will figure it out. They'll survive. The difference between Cox and Blockbuster is that no one needed a physical copy of a movie anymore, that's what ultimately killed Blockbuster. People will continue to need data, that's not going away. Their monopoly is what's going away.

Cox will persist, just in a vastly different form than it is now. IN a sense, it'll be kinda like when Ma Bell broke up thirty years ago..

And let's also keep in mind that the Cox franchise agreement with OKC expires next (well, this) year. Those negotiations should prove VERY interesting. To me, it seems OKC has the most leverage for favorable terms than at any time since Cox first came into town.

I use a lot of internet. I don't like Cox adding the data cap. I hope that goes away... That an the hundreds of pounds of junk mail they send me weekly.

My experience with Cox is going much better than AT&T. However, will jump to Google Fiber if given the opportunity.

So there is a permit for a Google Fiber "hut" to be built at 16820 N PENNSYLVANIA AVE according to the city council agenda for March 15th. I'm guessing they are going to build more around the city, but it seems that they are beginning physical work on it now.

So there is a permit for a Google Fiber "hut" to be built at 16820 N PENNSYLVANIA AVE according to the city council agenda for March 15th. I'm guessing they are going to build more around the city, but it seems that they are beginning physical work on it now.

CaryCitizen | Tech: What?s a Google Fiber Hut? (http://carycitizen.com/2014/05/13/tech-whats-google-fiber-hut/)

So it appears that the quail springs neighborhoods might be some of the first fiber hoods. I kinda assumed that.

Thank you for that. Nice to know this is moving forward!

http://carycitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/google-fiber-hut-2.jpg

I want to repeat that this can be considered an actual order, with money behind it. Google, when you get to Mustang, sign me up. Full Monty, Internet and TV. I already have Google Fi, just give me the ber!

OKCTalk - Gooble Fiber 'huts' being planned for OKC (http://www.okctalk.com/content.php?r=266-Gooble-Fiber-huts-being-planned-for-OKC)

I wonder if those of us that are "further" out will be able to get this service.

I wonder if those of us that are "further" out will be able to get this service.

I know there are developers in the central city that are already coordinating with Google, so I'm sure the first roll-out will be a bit scattered.

So I only heard a few minutes during a short drive listening. But Google is spearheading an initiative through the SEC that would allow them and other providers to offer cable channels a la carte?? I only watch about 10 cable channels yet my cox bill(with mid-tier internet and phone) is $230. I had one of the first cable modems to come to OKC in the mid nineties. I'm a 20+ year customer and they still treat me like a scrub. I'm just waiting to jump ship.

Does anyone know who got that City Manager job with Google, and how to get in touch with them? I'd like to discuss doing their job for them for free. Just limited to Mustang though. I want to get the full packet of information they use in dealing with cities, what Google wants, what they are offering, etc. I, as a resident, will go to a city council meeting and really lay it on heavy...we have land behind our fire station, this would be a benefit for our schools, our schools should have this advantage, I'll really turn it on. While I imagine Mustang is not next on the list for a hut, I want to pave the way and if any rezoning needs to be done, get that done so everything is ready.

Does anyone know who got that City Manager job with Google, and how to get in touch with them? I'd like to discuss doing their job for them for free. Just limited to Mustang though. I want to get the full packet of information they use in dealing with cities, what Google wants, what they are offering, etc. I, as a resident, will go to a city council meeting and really lay it on heavy...we have land behind our fire station, this would be a benefit for our schools, our schools should have this advantage, I'll really turn it on. While I imagine Mustang is not next on the list for a hut, I want to pave the way and if any rezoning needs to be done, get that done so everything is ready.

Same with Moore...

So I only heard a few minutes during a short drive listening. But Google is spearheading an initiative through the SEC that would allow them and other providers to offer cable channels a la carte?? I only watch about 10 cable channels yet my cox bill(with mid-tier internet and phone) is $230. I had one of the first cable modems to come to OKC in the mid nineties. I'm a 20+ year customer and they still treat me like a scrub. I'm just waiting to jump ship.

Their cable deals are pretty cheap as is. I think their internet + cable package is $130. Although a la carte sounds cool too

I wonder if those of us that are "further" out will be able to get this service.

I live in a rural part of Oklahoma City limits and have no internet access available besides satellite.

This first fiber "hut" is about a mile from my house! I look forward to them implementing this system and to seeing what the actual rates will be. We dumped cable a couple of years ago but still use COX for internet and phone but won't hesitate for one second to drop them if something better is available.

I would also be all over al la carte cable channels!! We are already doing that with ROKU and if the price is right, we would subscribe to maybe a half-dozen cable channels.

I live in a rural part of Oklahoma City limits and have no internet access available besides satellite.

Pretty much same with me, although we do have a WISP (AtLink) available. Which has never made sense that I don't have more options considering I live only a mile from the airport.

Thank you for that. Nice to know this is moving forward!

http://carycitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/google-fiber-hut-2.jpg

Google has told me that OKC is moving faster than cities that they announced two years ago. The city is working with them to help make this happen. Bringing new technology to OKC will have a huge impact. actually OKC is working on establishing a technology innovation district for start ups.

So I only heard a few minutes during a short drive listening. But Google is spearheading an initiative through the SEC that would allow them and other providers to offer cable channels a la carte?? I only watch about 10 cable channels yet my cox bill(with mid-tier internet and phone) is $230. I had one of the first cable modems to come to OKC in the mid nineties. I'm a 20+ year customer and they still treat me like a scrub. I'm just waiting to jump ship.

You and me both. I'm waiting with bated breath.