As I understand the situation, cable companies are powerful, but still have competition from other cable companies. If that's the case, then surely the ISPs' complaints are groundless? As long as a cableco isn't acting as a monopoly, there should be no requirement on them to lease lines to anyone that would horn in on their action. I'd be pissed off if I, acting as a legitimate business guy running a computer consultancy in competition with other consultants, was required to teach other people how to give technical support. It's a tenuous analogy to be sure, but a valid one (I thinK). All this, of course, is dependent on my understanding of US cable companies. If I'm wrong, I'll understand if I'm moderated to oblivion. In fact, I'll be delighted if it means fewer people seeing me acting the gobshite.
If there's no monopoly, there's no case (Score:2)
As long as a cableco isn't acting as a monopoly, there should be no requirement on them to lease lines to anyone that would horn in on their action. I'd be pissed off if I, acting as a legitimate business guy running a computer consultancy in competition with other consultants, was required to teach other people how to give technical support. It's a tenuous analogy to be sure, but a valid one (I thinK).
All this, of course, is dependent on my understanding of US cable companies. If I'm wrong, I'll understand if I'm moderated to oblivion. In fact, I'll be delighted if it means fewer people seeing me acting the gobshite.