Things aren't always that simple. This is pretty much a replay of equal access act where customers are allowed to use a different telephone company as their long distance carrier, bypassing the local telephone company (but not without a fee sometimes). The money that was spent installing lines (cable or otherwise) was not cableco's alone. It also came from taxpayers, the local government and various entities. These companies make use of public land and will therefore have to stand the same treatment. Cable subscribers also have already paid much the costs as part of their monthly fees. So down with the bloody monopolies!