Quote:I'm with you on legislation requiring equal access regardless of content I'm just exploring how did we get to the point where so few control so much of a resource.

The same way any business sector, when left to it's own devices, does it. Pours money into politicians pockets to get favorable deals. It is a little more complicated in this case since in, not all but a lot of instances, the carriers funded the implementation of the lines and gear needed for the broadband delivery. However as mentioned above deals were put in place to stifle competition nearly indefinitely by not allowing start ups to rent or use the lines they ran. This is the same thing that has happened in the past with landline phones service, railroads etc.... A handful of loaded people/companies fund innovation (which is fantastic) but then use the result to get filthy rich while stomping out competition and increasing prices across the board.

 

Look at our mobile phone plans and broadband internet prices compared with other developed countries in the world. Our prices are through the roof high and we are forced to pay it because Internet and Mobile are a necessity in modern society like power, water etc..... 

 

You are not going to want to hear it, but more regulation is, I think the only way to fix this. Change them to common carriers and force them to rent out the pipes. Start ups will come along creating massive drops in price. Heck, people are so hungry for new players in the game they don't even need to break them up like with Ma Bell. Instant competition would pop up. 

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