[Discuss] Competition of broadband

[odonovan at hkl.hms.harvard.edu (Dan O'Donovan)]

>> Fixing the industry to create more competition would be remarkably difficult
>> these days.
> 
> You are assuming that "the industry" needs "fixing", and I don't think "the industry" is
> as monolithic or as in need of repair as you imply.

In the UK I could get all you can eat BB ADSL at 20Mb (advertised) speeds for ?75 == $117 a YEAR (including setup costs). 

This is because of government enforced 'local-loop unbundling' - LLU - which basically means that the company who laid the line to my apartment don't own it. This LLU has encouraged competition, and I could get internets (without TV, phone and all that) for about the equivalent of $10 a month. AND the price would get lower the next year as I didn't need to 'set up'. 

Here in the US I (can only) get comcast's $60 a month 'deal' which includes TV (which I don't have). I can't get a cheaper deal, and the internet speeds are often lousy. Does the industry need 'fixing'? That's your call - but it could definitely work more for the consumer. 

Just my 2p

Dan O'Donovan