ISPs aren't stopping people from signing up for Netflix because they won't allow the maximum performance subscribers' service plans specify. Accepting pay for service isn't dishonest. Accepting pay for service you don't provide is.
Netflix has Internet Connection Speed Recommendations (https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306). ISPs offer service plans that cost more for higher maximum speeds. Is it Netflix's responsibility to ensure particular subscribers receive particular qualities of content, without regard for the contents' source qualities, the subscriber's bandwidth, the policies of their ISP, or any other range of factors in the last mile? Netflix is offering content, not quality. It doesn't sell differently priced subscriptions based on "maximum video quality", it offers a range of bitrates at a flat rate and sends the one that allows the best experience for your bandwidth.
Although, that's sort of the issue, isn't it? It's not "your" bandwidth that determines that now. It's not the plan you're paying your ISP for that's the limiting factor, it's the ISPs particular traffic shaping policies. Netflix isn't slowing its traffic down or decreasing video quality prejudicially based on your ISP or internet plan. It's the opposite, but they're being asked to pay, rightfully or not, so that some of their subscribers won't have their bandwidth throttled by their own ISPs.
Netflix has Internet Connection Speed Recommendations (https://help.netflix.com/en/node/306). ISPs offer service plans that cost more for higher maximum speeds. Is it Netflix's responsibility to ensure particular subscribers receive particular qualities of content, without regard for the contents' source qualities, the subscriber's bandwidth, the policies of their ISP, or any other range of factors in the last mile? Netflix is offering content, not quality. It doesn't sell differently priced subscriptions based on "maximum video quality", it offers a range of bitrates at a flat rate and sends the one that allows the best experience for your bandwidth.
Although, that's sort of the issue, isn't it? It's not "your" bandwidth that determines that now. It's not the plan you're paying your ISP for that's the limiting factor, it's the ISPs particular traffic shaping policies. Netflix isn't slowing its traffic down or decreasing video quality prejudicially based on your ISP or internet plan. It's the opposite, but they're being asked to pay, rightfully or not, so that some of their subscribers won't have their bandwidth throttled by their own ISPs.