>I think the big gripe most people have is that competition really isn't cutthroat, and that's the issue.
Wut ? There are 13 fiber ISP's that offer service at my address alone, then there is a cable ISP and at least a dozen or so DSL providers. You can get gigabit fiber service for €1/day.
> The big cable co's have de facto monopolies and can charge whatever they want, because it's so expensive to run lines through the ground.
Why would you need to run lines, the fiber is already there and completely open for anyone to use. The fees for access are the same for everyone no matter how big/small you are so you have a level playing field.
In the U.S. there aren't 13 fiber ISPs in any market. These are the markets grahamburger is talking about. Here, stateside, there is not a lot of competition among ISPs.
Wut ? There are 13 fiber ISP's that offer service at my address alone, then there is a cable ISP and at least a dozen or so DSL providers. You can get gigabit fiber service for €1/day.
> The big cable co's have de facto monopolies and can charge whatever they want, because it's so expensive to run lines through the ground.
Why would you need to run lines, the fiber is already there and completely open for anyone to use. The fees for access are the same for everyone no matter how big/small you are so you have a level playing field.