Quote:
|
Originally Posted by UCrewX5
In reality there is much more competition today then existed in 1984 when the Bell system was broken up. And it is "intermodal" competition - meaning that customers have a choice not only for who their service provider is, but also how that service is provided. You can now get phone service via the traditional landline network, through your cable company, through a myraid of VOIP providers, via cell phone, and even via satelite phone. Given all of these choices, the need for governmental regulation should long be in the rear view mirror.
Why do I need government protection?  If I'm not happy with my service, I can just move on to another provider. |
I agree, but one by one the choices are being eliminated. We are headed back towards a road of having one provider again. 4 years ago there were 7 major cell phone providers and many smaller regional providers. Now we are down to 5 major providers and most of the smaller ones have been gobbled up. Would you be shocked if we had 3 providers in another 5 years? And then 2? etc.
I don't like this trend. We are better off when there is more competition. Hopefully the government will not allow any more large mergers and will make sure there are at least some choices. But it would not shock me if anti-trust legislation was ignored. It wouldn't be the first time.