Yesterday, the Supreme Court’s decision granted everything on cable’s wish list – no regulation, no oversight, control over content and NO COMPETITION – and left consumers with no alternative when choosing who they want to get true high-speed Internet service from when using a cable modem. It’s settled. Take it or leave it, the Court might as well as said.
I don’t know about you, but I am not going to take it. I want something better, something
more, and I am prepared to do something about it.
The Supreme Court decision is emblematic of the lack of choices out there for consumers of high-speed connections and all the content and possibilities that come over those lines – Internet and video. Jeff Tehrani on TMCnet boils down the options: “The good news [in the decision]? Consumers can rest assured that if they want competition for internet service, they can always go back to dial up.”
Choice will emerge as additional providers with their own high-speed networks connect to our homes, just like the cable company does. And when you have multiple connections, you have the power to choose (it’s the only way to compete given yesterday’s court decision).
It’s easier said than done, though. The cable companies are expert at putting roadblocks to competitors who want to connect our homes to high-speed networks. By championing laws years ago that make franchising a complex hurdle to overcome cable has kept the door to competition shut. The best solution for consumers is more choices -- broadband to the home via utilities, telephone company and satellite is critical today to vie for consumers’ business.
Bottom line: The cable monopoly is ready to hunker down and protect its win in the Supreme Court and oppose all new entrants. Consumers need to respond.
You can help by signing up with Consumers for Cable Choice and we will give you the latest information to open the door to competition.
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