Has anyone published something like "Neilson Ratings" for Internet use? Something that would show how much time a customer spends using their Internet connection, how much they download and speed they commonly get/expect? I would be interested in breaking these questions out for a dialup user, cable modem user, DSL user and then home use vs. small business use.
Pointers to some or all of this information would be appreciated.
~Curt
Have you tried contacting AC Neilson? As far as I know, they
are more than happy to sell this data to anyone they can get to
buy it.
http://biz.yahoo.com/rf/020318/n18135659_1.html
Monday March 18, 9:49 am Eastern Time
Metromedia Fiber warns of possible bankruptcy
(UPDATE: Adds details)
NEW YORK, March 18 (Reuters) - Metromedia Fiber Network (NasdaqNM:MFNX - news), which provides high-speed communications services in cities, on Monday scrapped its financial guidance through the end of 2002, and warned it may have to file for bankruptcy if it cannot restructure its debts.
The New York-based company, in a press release, also said it had deferred payment of about $30 million of interest due on $975 million of convertible notes issued to local telephone company Verizon Communications(NYSE:VZ - news) in order to meet other near-term cash requirements.
Metromedia said it is in talks with Verizon but could default on its debt if it fails to reach an agreement or make an interest payment within a 30-day grace period.
Metromedia said it is seeking to restructure its debts. As of Feb. 28, it had $3.3 billion of consolidated debt and about $37.3 million in cash. A restructuring could substantially dilute the value held by stockholders, the company said.
The downturn in the telecommunications industry triggered the recent bankruptcies of Global Crossing Ltd. (Other OTC:GBLXQ.PK - news) and McLeodUSA Inc. (NasdaqNM:MCLDQ - news) The sector has been hurt by a glut of high-speed network capacity, scant demand in the weak economy, price wars and stiff competition.
To raise cash, Metromedia said it plans to sell the facilities of its Internet exchange, PAIX, for about $50 million cash and an equity interest in the buyer. A substantial part of the proceeds from the sale, expected to close in the second quarter, will be used to pay down debt, it said.
The company said it continues to explore other options to satisfy its near-term and medium-term liquidity needs.
Metromedia said it is seeking to restructure its debts. As of Feb.
28, it had $3.3 billion of consolidated debt and about $37.3 million
in cash. A restructuring could substantially dilute the value held by
stockholders, the company said.
...
To raise cash, Metromedia said it plans to sell the facilities of its
Internet exchange, PAIX, for about $50 million cash and an equity
interest in the buyer. A substantial part of the proceeds from the
sale, expected to close in the second quarter, will be used to pay
down debt, it said.
$50 mil down, $3.25 billion to go...
Has anyone published something like "Neilson Ratings" for Internet
use? Something that would show how much time a customer spends using their
Internet connection, how much they download and speed they commonly
get/expect? I would be interested in breaking these questions out for a
dialup user, cable modem user, DSL user and then home use vs. small
business use.
I think you'll find that Media Metrix has done a bunch of this (perhaps
not exactly these statistics, but similar): www.mediametrix.com
IIRC, most of their statistics focus on top "internet properties" and
providers for the advertising community, not specifically user behavior,
but you could ask them. Many of their services are pay-only.
-fred
Whoever the buyer is, I hope it's not WorldCom!
Joe
My guess is C&W as they have been looking at consolidating some of these.
You Telco *with* money still.
/Dee
Since they are defaulting on a $975B note to Verizon, and since they have
been saying Verizon does lease dark fiber from them, it would be the easiest
thing in the world for Verizon to take control of MFNX.
The real question is will they merge it with Genuity?
Deepak Jain
AiNET
$975B, or $975M? Even the US govt has to work to pile up a $975B debt. 
1) $975B seems a tad large
2) it was my understanding that Genuity was spun off when GTE merged with
BA, a requirement imposed by the regulators.
richard
Good question but I have no idea.
Dee
My bad. So used to writing B(illion) nowadays.. 
1) $975B seems a tad large
2) it was my understanding that Genuity was spun off when GTE merged with
BA, a requirement imposed by the regulators.
richard
IIRC, The terms of the BA/GTE merger agreement with the FTC stipulate that
Verizon may re-acquire Genuity once they receive approval to market inter-LATA
services in most (or maybe all, someone refresh my memory) of the states
where Genuity maintains service points.
Of course, if Tauzin-Dingell passes, this will speed things up
substantially. 
-C