There is a key difference between using an extra X of bandwidth yourself and enabling someone else to use it, because of the way bandwidth is valued and costed. Say 512Kbps cost you $50 a month - 1Mbps might cost you $80 per month. But if your sharing of 512Kbps of that bandwidth with your neighbours enabled three people to not bother buying broadband, your $30 extra payment to the cable co just lost them $150 of subscription revenue.
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There is a key difference between using an extra X of bandwidth yourself and enabling someone else to use it, because of the way bandwidth is valued and costed. Say 512Kbps cost you $50 a month - 1Mbps might cost you $80 per month. But if your sharing of 512Kbps of that bandwidth with your neighbours enabled three people to not bother buying broadband, your $30 extra payment to the cable co just lost them $150 of subscription revenue.