Net Neutrality takes takes a big blow

[Leviathan]

Again though, this generally bullshit. The FTC for example cannot regulate cable markets as monopolies because they are "common carriers." The problem is that the court just ruled that the FCC cannot regulate Verizon's actions, because apparently verizon isn't a common carrier anymore.

Also, for all you states rights idiots, this is what happens when states and municipalities regulate. The reason a mere 2% of Americans have a choice of cable options is because local governments sold companies exclusive rights, sometimes for as much as 20 years. States got steamrolled by these national companies when it came to regulating their behavior and ensuring competition. The federal regulatory agencies still don't have the mandate to regulate these cable companies.

So the next time someone bitched about their shitty cable provider, remind them that politics matters. There isn't any god damn reason private companies should be left in charge of building out what amounts to basic infrastructure anyway.

[Mr.Bill]

All overhead..

As for your DSL point, there's no way to prove one way or the other if ATT's equipment can handle DSL.. BUT when I got Verizon DSL 10+ years ago they ran no new lines to my house, and I used the same in-house wiring.. All they did was mail me a modem, I plugged it in and ran the software and was on-line.

I just guessing but here in NY Verizon and ATT use to be the same company, so who the hell knows? They maybe using the exact same outside telephone wires.. Maybe that has something to do with it, but it's weird I can get either for phone service, but not ATT DSL..

[Professor]

[Professor]

[Leviathan]

The problem is actually local governments that sell the rights. It's almost certainly why bill can't get att DSL, because verizon has the rights to that is his neighborhood.

The states are the ones that cannot effectively regulate these monopolies to ensure competition. They have failed at that task for decades and yet thanks to right wing states rights bullshit, we still haven't empowered the FCC or FTC to deal with the issue.

Thanks reptiles!!

[Professor]

[Leviathan]

They don't, both agencies are very aggressive in policing monopolies like this. Also, unlike state regulatory bodies, they have the resources to actually take these companies to court and win. I should clarify. It's not like anyone intends for these monopolies to be created. Local municipalities are generally incompetent and your local bum mayor can sell away rights for 20 years to make up an annual budget shortfall. State regulators try, but there is just no way they have the resources or scope to put together a case against a huge telecom company and then successfully litigate the issue.

The FCC and FTC go to court regularly, with large companies, over matters worth billions. They have the muscle to effectively regulate these industries, it's just they don't have the mandate to do it. The FCC tried in one instance with its net neutrality laws, and verizon won in court on an easily fixable technically that congress will never fix.

[Leviathan]

I'm telling you man, this stuff matters. It's why you pay 200 bucks for all 8 channels you probably watch.

If the government would sink a few billion into subsidizing some of the major infrastructure, and would allow the FCC and FTC to regulate common carriers, in 5 years every single consumer would have sigiciantly better service or significantly lower prices. Look at google fiber. Do you know how much comcast spends fighting to limit their growth? Can you imagine the economic and cultural gains to be had if 90% of Americans had access to service comparable to google fiber?

It should be a national priority. This is exactly what I mean when I say America can't do big things. We are to concerned with giving states their RIGHTS to embark upon a revolution in the way we access tv and the Internet.

[Winchester]

Honestly I don't see internet service much differently than any other utility. They want to create plans that charge based upon usage, fine, just don't dick around with how I can use it. Utilities don't tell me what appliances I run, who I can or can not call, they sell me electricity and phone service, the Internet should be no different.

[Professor]