The American way of broadband: slow

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[Commentary] Why does it seem as if telecom companies -- phone, cable, satellite -- always appear to be pulling a fast one on customers? The simple answer: because they can. And there's a reason for that: In many places, consumers have only a few telecom providers to choose from.

This raises another question: Why doesn't the United States do what many other developed nations have done to promote broadband and wireless competition? It sounds wonky, but what open access means is that network providers are required to allow rival companies to piggyback on their wires or airwaves at a fair, transparent price. The idea is that this allows more players to enter a market and, thus, maintain a more competitive and innovative environment. By opening existing broadband networks to competing services, the consistent result is lower prices and more innovation.


The American way of broadband: slow