Cable vs. Utility deregulation

[cnsf]

Why is it that cable hasn't been deregulated in the same manner as the phone and utility industries?

For example, one can choose their own local service provider for voice, an electric or gas supplier for energy, or from a variety of DSL providers over your single phone line.

The local utilities are merely responsible for line maintenance and last mile issues.

Wouldn't it be nice if you could get TV signal from any supplier or Internet Service from ISPs over cable lines (much like DSL)?

Anyone wish to comment or offer up the legal issues? Is this politically or economically driven?

[Wedgecon]

Well for one thing very few people live in areas where you can choose your own power or telco provider.

In fact Cable was deregulated several years ago, that is why you have big rate hikes every year. But unlike the telcos cable has been able to use various tatics to keep their rivals from using their infrastructure.

deregulation has been a total failure for all utilities, rates are only cut in the early stages until all the rivals are driven out of business and then you have an unregulated monopoly.

The fact is for certain infrastructure things like power, telecommunications, etc you need to have regulated monopolies otherwise you have total chaos.

[cnsf]

Which is just about where we are now...total chaos....

:D