The single biggest factor in the US having become the telecom backwater it is today is the semihemidemiquasiregulated duopoly (at best) where “up to” two companies “service” each metro area in a haphazard manner, carrying through on their commitment to continually innovate in the ways in which they can piss customers off. They get away with that, of course, because a) they know “customers” have no choice, and b) because even if the FCC were to somehow grow a backbone and start trying to bring about a pro-customer environment, the Best Congress Money Can Buy™ would immediately slap them down.

Meanwhile, I sit over here in Second World Singapore with 14 Mbps down/2 up (DSL) for just under US$30 a month; the top plan currently available here is a cable connection, 100 Mbps down/10 up for US$88. And people routinely complain that prices here are high because all “successful” companies eventually become GLCs. American cities SHOULD be doing a heck of a lot better.

Look at the trouble BT got into by offering up to 8 megs, charging for 8 megs, and delivering 2 – 3 meg speeds.

I’m sure that Time Warner’s pricing will come down when Verizon and AT&T enter the “cherry picked” markets with their own fiber based services. The big question of course is when?

This article has actually made me realize that the pending national broadband policy may lack teeth if it doesn’t address local duopolies.

My $.02,

Best.