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While ISP monopolies are a big part of the problem, even if there were competition, that would not ensure net neutrality. After all, if all of ISP companies de
by GVIrish 12y ago
While ISP monopolies are a big part of the problem, even if there were competition, that would not ensure net neutrality.
After all, if all of ISP companies decided that they could make metric tons of money by gating off the internet, and there were no laws against it, you could potentially end up with a situation where every ISP is charging ransom.
Look at mobile telcos and text message charges. For a long time there every mobile provider was charging exorbitant rates for text messages because it was highly profitable and everyone was doing it. Eventually newcomers started offering free text packages, and maybe that's what would happen with ISP's. But it is not at all a given, especially because the barriers to entry to the market are so high.
- mseebach 12y agoIt wouldn't "ensure" it in the formal sense of the word, but in a system with actual competition, actors generally can't get away with "charging ransom".
- llamadrom 12y agoThis assertion is often put forth by naive Libertarian types, but it's simply not true. Cartels routinely emerge in markets with high barriers to entry. This happens even if there are laws against direct coordination and those laws are obeyed. The market players aren't dumb, and they realize that if the barrier to entry is high enough, they can maximize profits by simply not competing. Price wars are terrible things for companies in such situations. That said, there's no point in discussing history (such as turbine pricing) with you, because you've already demonstrated that you're a completely typical closed-minded religious zealot with an aversion to reality.
- mseebach 12y agoEven if I'm completely wrong and you're completely right, this level of discourse is simply not acceptable.
- llamadrom 12y agoOh give me a break, you thin-skinned jerk. You're criticizing my tone because you were wrong on the facts. Pathetic. Disgusting and pathetic. You should be ashamed of yourself. But you aren't, because you're fucking pathetic.
- dllthomas 12y agoThis level of discourse is completely unacceptable. Do better.
- dllthomas 12y agoI mostly agree with the meat of your post, but agree with mseebach that it is needlessly hostile.