Time-Warner Cable Backs Down on Metered Broadband Trials

Frontier Communications is probably a bit annoyed at this development: Time-Warner Cable, facing much criticism and a possible bill to halt metered broadband, has backed down on its move to expand its tiered broadband trials.

In the wake of announcements of an upcoming expansion of TWC's tiered pricing strategy to Rochester, NY, Frontier had been receiving many inquiries.

Based on TWC's statement it sounds like they will be withdrawing the trial from Beaumont, TX, where it first began, as well. Time Warner Cable Chief Executive Officer Glenn Britt said (emphasis mine):

“It is clear from the public response over the last two weeks that there is a great deal of misunderstanding about our plans to roll out additional tests on consumption based billing. As a result, we will not proceed with implementation of additional tests until further consultation with our customers and other interested parties, ensuring that community needs are being met. While we continue to believe that consumption based billing may be the best pricing plan for consumers, we want to do everything we can to inform our customers of our plans and have the benefit of their views as part of our testing process.”

Misunderstanding? As far as "further consultation with our customers and other interested parties," the translation is really "other interested parties." In other words, they will begin lobbying this, so as to make sure Rep. Eric Massa's (D-NY) never gets off the ground. Then they will roll it out.

Forgive me, it's the cynic in me.

Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Massa announced Time Warner's decision during a protest in Rochester, NY, in front of TWC's local office.