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Internet is different to most utilities because there are so many competing delivery methods: Cellular (several networks competing here alone), wired (competiti
by HPsquared 3y ago
Internet is different to most utilities because there are so many competing delivery methods: Cellular (several networks competing here alone), wired (competition between DSL, FTTP, Cable), and the emerging satellite internet market (currently led by Starlink but plenty of room for competition as it's a global market).
This compares to the power grid or water supply in a given city, which are more of a natural monopoly. (Or indeed the railway lines)
- amluto 3y agoAnd yet the actual best way to deliver data (and TV, etc) services has been unchanged for quite some time: single-mode fiber. PON is a sort-of monopoly-requiring technology, but boring active fiber is not. Someone, e.g. the city or a nonprofit or even the homeowners, could own the fiber, and the other end goes to an exchange point, and service providers can compete to provide service at the other end. If all the ridiculous permitting and attachment rights get sorted out, single-mode fiber is cheap and straightforward to install. Take a look at any of the rural nonprofit fiber services. They’re not particularly expensive to build or operate.