telecoms have been stifling innovation for years. That's why rural areas don't have decent internet and fiber is only available to those lucky enough to live outside of a monopoly. Google "comcast sues"

Just like flying Fist Class. Did you know those assholes get their coffee in china cups!?

i said a thing

look at me go

hey everybody look at me go

There's usually more than 1 choice, but people don't consider satellite services to be viable options. Then they vote in officials who regulate the service providers in the region to the point where it ends up being an exclusive contract agreement with 1 of the big players for their lines installation. Most of the problems people have with a lack of competition would be resolved by paying more attention to their local politics and actively participating. The government will offer grants for companies to provide for rural areas.

My area was locked to Frontier, but they never finished installing their infrastructure so most of us have been underserved for years. We voted them out and have a gigabit provider coming. Going from 1.5MBps to 1000/1000 will be something. :)

XD That's my ONLY option.

Satellite or no internet.

But you can CHOOSE which company you want to provide you with satellite. So you have options. :D

No I can't.

Really? There's somewhere in the world where Hughe's Net is the only provider? :O

We HAD more than one, but StarBand went under. And there is another group in Houghton, 50 miles south, but they tell you flat out, we'll give you thee dish, but we don't make service calls that far north.

"Statistics released by U.S. Federal Communications Commission indicate that satellites account for just 0.37 percent of all U.S. international capacity" - according to this site, under the "Why don't companies use satellites instead?" question.

And here's a lovely map for submarine cables.

I'll go put the champagne bottle to chill. :D

ironic considering who was made to leave today, but I'd better not get into that. :P

How about Exede? They say they're in Houghton and Franklin if Michigan is the correct state. https://www.exede.com/plan-results/liberty12/

The end goal is always to get infrastructure built though. Do you know the name of your mayor? Yell at them yet?

Hmmmm, must be new. Never heard of them. I stand corrected.

Well, I'm not going to switch right now, and I'm still terrified by recent events, but it does look like I have choices after all.