4 ms·
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_monopoly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_monopoly. ISPs are in an objectively different situation from gas stati
by rlpb 10y ago
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_monopoly https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_monopoly. ISPs are in an objectively different situation from gas stations and the supply of generators over a distance in a disaster situation.
- derefr 10y agoThe thing with gas stations is, the gas has to come from somewhere. For various reasons, oil companies are in a natural-monopoly position (or rather, a natural cartel position, that uses various branding tactics to discourage the appearance of collusion—much like the deBeers cartel does for diamonds.) With so much leverage over their direct customers, the oil cartel isn't interested in allowing gas stations to eat into their profit margin. So they buy them. Thus, gas stations become another facet of the cartel.