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More than two decades after the World Wide Web hit the mainstream, most people in the United States use the internet in some capacity every day, whether it’s on their phone while they browse social media apps or at home while they work. But many Americans don’t have a choice about what internet service provider they can use.
Service Provider Monopolies
Comcast, Charter, and AT&T hold a monopoly over most internet services in the country.
A 2020 Institute for Local Self-Reliance report showed that 83.3 million Americans can only access broadband through one provider. It also states that Comcast and Charter have a monopoly over at least 47 million people nationwide.
Anyone who lives in an urban area can sometimes pick between two or more service providers, but you are typically out of luck if you live in a rural part of the country.
The report shows that big tech companies have neglected rural America, and sometimes their DSL networks don’t support broadband speeds.
When shopping for internet service providers, another issue is that the National Broadband Map by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) can be confusing to some.
The map shows consumers how many broadband providers they can use in their area, but it can be confusing at first glance because it doesn’t separate what internet service is provided specifically to businesses, and sometimes there are duplicates of the same providers. For example, at a specific address in Studio City, Calif., there are 10 providers listed in the National Broadband Map, but anyone who lives in a home or apartment in the area can actually only use three– Charter Communications, AT&T and T-Mobile. Three is genuinely great compared to some areas where consumers only have one or two options, but that is still less than the original 10 options on the map. It turns out the other providers listed are either specifically for businesses (fixed wireless), satellites, or duplicates of the company.
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89 thoughts onTCA Explains: Why Are Internet Providers So Bad?
Please add me.
I had Spectrum it was costly. Too many fees. Worse stop internet
add me
Add me, this is crazy!
Hey people this is an article for learning. By stating “add me” it shows you are not reading the article. This is a learning experience not a money grab. Other people are commenting on their cable experience. This article wants to start a conversation about this issue
saw that after my comment was finished.
I had Spectrum internet service only and was paying$75/month. I switched to T-Mobile Internet as I switched to them for cell service from AT&T. The T-Mobile Internet is not as good as Spectrum as it now loads much slower, frequently showing that dang loading circle. 🙁 I’m a senior living on Social Security and am at my wits end. Please add me!
I am in the rural mountains of San Diego, and had only dial up for the first ten years. After ATT started U-verse they still couldn’t connect me for another 5 years, and now I’ve had it about eight years. The issue was the phone lines didn’t have the capability. Though no lines were changed we now have so many on the same line now that our speed is very slow compared to cable. It takes over 30 minutes just to start up. The only other option is Hughes Net by satellite and I haven’t heard anything but bad service from them.
Hi I’m was with xfinity back last year and I had the internet service and security service and I called and canceled the security service and I just asked for the internet service and they sent me a bill for over $400 dollars so I paid that bill and the next month my bill was $358 and we paid that bill also so I disconnected everything and asked to speak to someone to help me with just internet service and they still billed me every month after that so now xfinity says I owe them almost $2,000 dollars so now I’m trying to find away to get this bill paid off
Please add me.
FOR THE LAST 8 I HAVE BEEN PAYING $65.00 A MONTH FOR FIBER INTERNET FROM AT&T . SOME TIMES I DON’T HAVE SIGNAL . SOME TIMES NO CONNECTION ;IS ALWAYS SOMETHING BAD . THE SERVICE IS HORRIBLE .CAN YOU ADD ME PLEASE THANKS
CenturyLink….no other comment necessary, right? Constant fighting after on-hold for 20-43 minutes….. HAVE to have a LAN line, OUTRAGEOUS cost……Hughes just as bad. That’s it for choices