Comcast’s Lousy Internet Inspired Two Construction Professionals To Create Their Own ISP

Yeah, Well, I’m Gonna Go Build My Own Internet!  With …

Samuel Herman and Alexander Baciu worked for a construction company that specialized in contracts with ISP companies to install their physical networks.  Just like many Comcast customers they were frequently disappointed with the performance of their network, the seemingly random charges added to their bills and the horrific customer from that ISP.  However, unlike many Comcast customers, they were in a position to do something about it.  They parted ways with their current jobs to create their own ISP called Prime-One, seeing as how they already had the expertise to bring fibre optic service to buildings, all they needed to do was hire people to handle the OSS/BSS software and keep track of the available dark fibre they could activate.

It has worked well and the customers in their neighbourhood, who were essentially held hostage by Comcast because they were the only provider in that area, were overjoyed to see the new ISP.  Their rates are better than Comcast and they offer unlimited data which Comcast did not; at least not until recently and still require their customers to switch plans to have the data cap removed.  This is a great example that will hopefully inspire others with similar skills to do the same, and create a local ISP.  This was something that was common back in the day before the large telecom companies absorbed the smaller ISPs or, in some cases, made it impossible for their competitors to offer decent service by playing with the infrastructure they owned.

If we can see more of this, it will not only give consumers a choice in ISPs again, it should also force the large ISPs to modify their service agreements lest they start losing customers in large droves.   It’s nice to have a feel good story to start the week for a change!