Residents of Horn City voiced their frustrations over rising internet and cable costs during a recent government meeting, highlighting the unsustainable financial burden on families, particularly seniors. One resident detailed that their monthly bill from GreenSky Internet and cable totals approximately $290.90, which equates to nearly $35,100 annually. This expense represents 8.35% of the median income in Horn, which is $41,816, leaving families with only $57 a month for other utilities, a situation deemed \"not sustainable\" and \"not affordable.\"
Concerns were raised about the lack of competition in the market due to exclusive franchise agreements that prevent other service providers from entering the area. Residents reported poor service quality, with one individual sharing their experience of paying for high-speed internet that frequently fails to deliver promised speeds. Another resident criticized the franchise agreement, questioning why it restricts access to multiple service providers, thereby limiting consumer choice and driving up costs.
The meeting also touched on the need for better service infrastructure, with calls for providers like Verizon to expand their offerings to residential areas. Residents expressed a desire for local offices from service providers to improve customer service and response times, especially during outages.
Overall, the discussions underscored a growing demand for more competitive pricing and reliable internet services in Horn, as residents seek solutions to alleviate the financial strain caused by current cable and internet costs.