>I have not heard any arguments in favor of this system that hold water in my entire life
One defense is that the old AT&T system was really expensive and slowed progress. Deregulation was a big win for consumers.
I agree that well regulated monopoly ISPs could deliver better service. But I'm deeply skeptical that, in practice, we'd manage to actually regulate the ISPs properly.
Our regulated power companies have shitty, underfunded grids that create massive forest fires.
One defense is that the old AT&T system was really expensive and slowed progress. Deregulation was a big win for consumers.
I agree that well regulated monopoly ISPs could deliver better service. But I'm deeply skeptical that, in practice, we'd manage to actually regulate the ISPs properly.
Our regulated power companies have shitty, underfunded grids that create massive forest fires.
I would half expect really cheap nationwide DSL.