The USA might have had a free market at one time, but we haven't since 1934, so memories are hazy. The uptick in competition post-1996, which has steadily rolled back for some time now, was mostly a gimmick to funnel investment into the Daughters Bell. TFA is spot-on that concentration is bad for consumers, and our slow roll-back from even the paltry market diversity we once had for data connection bodes ill for us.

I heartily apologize to all who were disconcerted by my caricature of the useful idiots who "believe in a free market in telecommunications", as the most recent email I received from my corrupt Senator put it.