I bought internet in Rural PA last year. Verizon, AT&T, and a regional company were the only options.
After the local company did a survey and determined they could not get a line to me, I called AT&T.
The AT&T customer service rep looked up my address and said that's in a Verizon area, can I transfer you to Verizon support?"
Having worked for AT&T just after deregulation, I was curious. So instead of saying, "ok" I asked some questions.
AT&T and Verizon internet have worked out regional monopolies. Choice is a farce in these areas, and so an arbitration agreement is forced upon any customer who "wants" internet service.
Take our terms, or have no internet.
Cellular data was also abysmal in the area. On some days climbing out onto th me 2nd story roof was the only way to get email.
So I "agreed" to Verizon's land line terms of service.
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I bought internet in Rural PA last year. Verizon, AT&T, and a regional company were the only options. After the local company did a survey and determined they could not get a line to me, I called AT&T. The AT&T customer service rep looked up my address and said that's in a Verizon area, can I transfer you to Verizon support?" Having worked for AT&T just after deregulation, I was curious. So instead of saying, "ok" I asked some questions. AT&T and Verizon internet have worked out regional monopolies. Choice is a farce in these areas, and so an arbitration agreement is forced upon any customer who "wants" internet service. Take our terms, or have no internet. Cellular data was also abysmal in the area. On some days climbing out onto th me 2nd story roof was the only way to get email. So I "agreed" to Verizon's land line terms of service.