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Internet speed matters. If you can't watch streaming video, just for example you're not really getting the same service. The FCC divided access types by whether
by sp332 7y ago
Internet speed matters. If you can't watch streaming video, just for example you're not really getting the same service. The FCC divided access types by whether they are "broadband" or not (currently defined as 25 Mbps down / 3 Mbps up). The number of ISPs which offer broadband access to a given home is usually exactly 1.
- jaywalk 7y agoI'm always surprised when I see posts about only having a single option for broadband. I've got three options currently, with Verizon 5G Home literally a block away. I'm in a Detroit suburb, but I guess I'm an outlier.
- sp332 7y agoISPs are often given franchises by local governments. They agree to make service available to a certain % of residents, even if they are not individually profitable, and provide decent speeds to schools etc. In exchange they get access to rights-of-way to run cables and other things that make competition difficult. It's kind of a natural monopoly anyway since keeping up all the physical plant is expensive and there's no reason for multiple companies to do it, kind of like water or power companies.
- mirimir 7y agoThey could share infrastructure, as electricity providers do.
- penumbra2000 7y agoI think this could recreate the problem to some extent, as the shared infrastructure would be owned/administrated by someone, who then would have lots of aggregate data to sell.