While phone companies and cable operators are competing with each other to sell consumers broadband access to the Internet, they are not competing everywhere. For business customers in cities there are choices between phone and cable companies for high speed connections, but the competition has not yet reached rural areas. In addition, since Internet connections serve as information pipelines, it is very important that the provider who offers a connection allow open access to everything the consumer wants to receive. Open access regulations apply to phone companies, but not to cable operators. Cable operators are fighting to protect this favorable position and phone companies are trying to get rid of the regulations that apply to them. In the meantime, prices for broadband services continue to remain high and out of reach for millions of Americans.
