When BT was privatised a rapid effect was an increase in what we pay. They were also given responsibility for internet back bones - main highways effectively. You may see them about improving telephone lines to enhance internet performance. Eg outside my house changing connections to water proof ones.
I asked the bloke what he was doing.
My area again. Along comes a USA company that offers cable. They dug up all over the place, added the street boxes. I took them up on it. Later it stopped working. I did have TV etc but cancelled it.They wouldn't repair it. Add TV again and they would. They were bought up at some point. Now Virgin runs it. If I want cable that is the only company I can use. I do not want the full house TV offering. Do they offer internet only?
Products. Sure they have updated phones but any form of company could do that. I would usually buy a BT phone as they have always been problem free. Last one I bought I didn't like any of them, wrong blocking facilities so bought a different brand. Fine unless I need to key a number in, bank checks etc. Usually doesn't work. Voice can but for some reason not always.
Finances. I am often curious about debt in areas like this. Looked on BT and found comments that theirs needs to be reduced. Feelings that they can't really support it. I didn't look at their accounts to look at gearing etc so may be true or not.
So ok an increase in prices was inevitable when that lot is put together but it's resulted in a bit of a mess. It reduces my choice that they say is it's advantage.
Another. A water company. No interest in reducing leakage but spending millions to divert water from one area to another. Very likely to be borrowed. Others in the same field - sometimes fined millions for sewage discharges. There was a Dispatches on that last night. Gov interference and cuts figure. Latest reason for doing nothing is cost of living increases. They need to charge more to do what they need to do. This is not new problem.
Rail - amazing number of companies involved and gov interference. It seems some aspects are privatised in some areas. Worcester council is having to subsidise their local bus service to prevent it going bust. Some local bus services in rural areas are "rather" limited. The bus frequency in some areas is way higher than it need be = more or less empty buses. Rather different to what B'ham council used to do. Loads when needed then frequency dropped off. I've no idea how they did it.
Side issues. When we pay for the services we are covering dividend, corporation tax and debt. We have little control on how they choose to invest. They just make profit decisions especially in the utility area. Sounds great but is it?
