Maybe. But what about power companies? Water? These local monopolies have relatively stable prices.
Aren't those
co-ops and not for profit?
I don't think there's anything stopping you from getting together and getting internet service like that. It would just be a huge pain in the ass.
I'd be interested to know how much you pay. I was getting (I think) 12 Mb DSL from CenturyLink at $20/mo. That was an introductory price. I think it is usually about $40/mo for that service, though I have found their 4Mb speed to be sufficient for everything I do; I only upgraded because the introductory price made the 12 and 4 the same price.
I'm on the
Max Plus plan - 18 Mbps for $44.95, but it ends up coming out to ~$60 after taxes and fees n'shit.
But that's all I buy from them. I used to have a bundle with cable tv and was spending twice what I do now.
But in my old city competition was fiercer than it is here. Century Link is very expensive where I live now, being about the same as the cable company's Internet.
When the monopoly stops being cooperative and starts looking for profit is when your price goes up.
They've got me by the balls because they own all the lines/hardware.
But you've got to give them some credit, in the beginning they spend a lot on the hardware install without getting much money out of it. After things get going is when you recoup the investment - so I kinda get it. But the completely terrible customer service and the obviously inflated prices really get to me.
It be great to tell them to fuck off and go find my own shit, but they've got me by the balls.
It will be interesting (and pleasant) if the net neutrality rules have any impact on quality and price of service. I fear they won't, though.
Net neutrality is going to stop it from getting worse (not make it better). Without it, they could just not allow me to get, say, Netflix through their internet and then I'd have to go back to cable TV for that shit.
ISPs will use them like employers use the AACas an excuse to jack up prices and downgrade service.
You're gonna have to call shenanigans on them and bitch a fit, then they'll probably lower the price a bit for a while.
They will screw over America, blame the government, turn more people into idiot Reduncelicans, and make a dandy profit from it all.
God. Bless. America.
But here are us Americans here shucking over our dollars to them every month. You think its such a shame but you're enabling it. Like I said, they got us by the balls.
Meh... I think its worth the price; the internet is awesome.
Edited by Cat Sci, : formatting
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