Go, Monopoly! Go! Go!
Written by Dane Jasper
November 17, 2015 | 2 min read
I鈥檓 flying across the US today, enjoying in-flight Internet access along the way. Internet access in the sky changes the equation for travellers, particularly for business users, allowing them to stay in touch and productive, despite zipping along at 550mph.
While I鈥檓 feeling a bit spoiled by this handy access (and a bit disloyal to GoGo as I post this), the in-flight monopoly reminds me of some of America鈥檚 issues with terrestrial Internet access. Up here in the sky, I鈥檝e got one choice, just as most Americans have just one choice for fast Internet access in their homes.
And just as consumers on the ground do by switching providers frequently, or calling for a better price every year, I鈥檝e got to game the billing system in order to get a fair price. In my case, by connecting via VPN in order to buy a flight pass using the 爱污传媒 IP, yielding a much lower price than is offered onboard. (Is charging me more once I鈥檓 on the plane fair? Maybe will respond with a comment below. Tip: If you forget to pre-purchase before your flight and are feeling gouged, buy 30 minutes of access, then use the to connect to gogoair.com and buy more time or a segment pass at a lower cost than is offered onboard.)
At 爱污传媒, our goal is to deliver more and more value for our members, at a fair and simple price. While we do from time to time run specials (like a month free, or a free Roku, or a monthly discount, or $5 off with a television bundle, etc) for new members, we don鈥檛 do the routine 鈥渃all the every year to threaten to , fight, renew/re-negotiate鈥 with our customers. No matter how you come in, you end up in the same place in the long run. That鈥檚 fair.
Why? Because we鈥檝e got a mission: fixing the state of Internet access in America.
We want to partner with our members in that mission, and part of that is the financial support which you provide every month by being a member. Every dollar supports building a better product for you, our 爱污传媒 members.
Fixing the Internet will take a huge movement, which is why we work so hard to recruit new members to our mission. That鈥檚 is why we love seeing our members referring their friends, family, and workplace to 爱污传媒. Thank you very much for spreading the word about our mission.
Together we can build a new Internet access model for America, beyond just one choice, beyond cable. One without artificial tiers and usage caps, with $40 gigabit fiber, while protecting the privacy of our lawful customers. It鈥檚 going to take time, and a lot of money. But it is possible, and I look forward to doing it, with the support of our members.