ahhaha, thanks for your prompt response. Please bear with me but I would like to clarify one point.
I would not have a problem with Aol "cutting a deal" per se with ATHM. Sure, we would both win. What my concern is (and maybe I'm just not getting it) is with Aol "cutting the deal" with ATT. ATT wants the merger to go thru so they can gain access to the lucrative local phone market. Lets say they do and the merger goes thru. Aol and others get all bent out of shape because ATHM is THE ISP offered over the cable. So they wine to the feds and the justice dept. etc. and say the consumer isn't getting a choice of ISP. So then to make concessions, ATT says OK, OK, we'll let AOL be a choice for all households that our cable serves, after all, the pipe is in place now.
This is the concept I am worried about: I have a choice of the up and coming ATHM at $40 a month or I can get the wildly popular Aol for $22.95!!!! Call me foolish, but I think most folks will choose AOL. Even if new and improved broadband Aol cost $40, most folks will choose Aol, simply because it is familiar. So it Att and Aol have the "deal" does not ATHM get the shaft ?? Att collects the internet revenue from the consumer, and, lets say 80% choose aol, wouldn't that revenue get funneled over to AOL???
Sorry to be so time consuming for you, but you really have been a great help to all on this thread.
Sincerely, Mike M |
