An interesting tid bit on this. Google Fiber is rolling out here in Nashville. Like I posted above everyone has rights to the poles, what they don't have the right to do is touch anyone else's cable. So before Google can put any new line on the poles ATT and Comcast have to come out and move their lines. I'm sure you can imagine ATT and Comcast in an effort to protect their market were crawling at fulfilling those requests. Google forced metro to put in place a "One Touch Make Ready" law that would allow Google and other ISPs to make all necessary adjustments. ATT and Comcast sued the government and won their case. Judge declared metro exceeded it's authority in making the law.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018...gle-fiber/

(10-26-2018 09:20 AM)bobdizole Wrote:  Because the cable company owns the wire. I don't know what you mean by electrical companies, in my area we only have one electrical company and its the city. We do have two water companies in our area, but it's more of just servicing. They turn around and pay the city almost all of the water bill. Railroad companies make agreements with each other to share track rights.

Where I live there is a local company which owns the wires and maintains them, but I can pay for my power from any company I want. I can get it through the local provider or from another provider in the region. I don't have to buy from my local company. When I had to get my new house wired up, the local company came and replaced the existing pole that was in bad shape and made sure everything was up to spec. When a storm hit and a branch broke on a tree and laid across the lines, they came out and fixed it. They maintain the wires since they own them, but the thing is, I don't pay them every month, my 'provider' is another company in the region.

Quote:Choosing an Electric Generation Supplier
Now you can choose the company that supplies your electric generation supply - just as you can shop for other products and services. The Maryland Customer Choice program provides information to help you make the decision that is right for you.

In the past, your electric distribution utility - Potomac Edison - provided every aspect of your electric service. This included generating the electricity and delivering it to your home or business. Now you can choose the company that supplies the electric generation. All electric generation suppliers, must be certified by the Maryland Public Service Commission (MDPSC).

Many things, including delivery, remain the same. For example, if you choose a supplier, your electric distribution utility still delivers the electric service to your home or business, as well as continues to maintain the same poles and wires. And if your power goes out, you should still call your electric distribution utility.

Link: https://www.firstenergycorp.com/customer...yland.html