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Unfortunately, it is not a rule that can be applied to every economic situation. In particular, utilities, such as electricity, water, and telecoms form natural
by quanticle 16y ago
Unfortunately, it is not a rule that can be applied to every economic situation. In particular, utilities, such as electricity, water, and telecoms form natural monopolies. One a set of infrastructure is built, the company controlling said infrastructure can put up massive barriers to entry, as they control the physical devices that provide the good or service to the consumers. Even your example of unregulated spectrum would require a significant investment in repeaters and antennae. Once a company or consortium built out that infrastructure, what prevents them from denying that infrastructure to competitors, just as traditional ISPs are doing today?
- chopsueyar 16y agoDo it like the TVA... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_valley_authority http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_valley_authority
- ataggart 16y ago>telecoms form natural monopolies. Perhaps, though the it's of little relevance given all the government-granted monopolies. It would be nice to see "net neutrality" legislation advocates first look at what extant legislation interferes with competitive forces before proposing further legislation.