Cable modem service providers also minimize the cost of Internet access by building content, advertising, and commerce businesses to offset the consumer costs of accessing the Web. Unlike AOL, however, the cable companies are doing nothing to preclude consumers from directly accessing Web content quickly without burdening them with interstitial promotional offers. If, however, cable companies were required to strip away the potential for generating advertising and commerce revenues by pursuing an access-only model, this would lead to an increase in the price of cable modem services. That isn't in the interest of the consumer. Moreover, it is the content provider, and not the cable modem service provider that determines content pricing policies.
Investment is what is fostering competition.
It is a simple but undeniable reality that new and unnecessary regulations will diminish the willingness of capital markets to finance the construction of new broadband networks. Government regulation would actually limit the return on investment and cause investors to be less willing to risk the billions of dollars necessary to build out the networks. Government intervention is particularly misplaced in the case of new broadband networks deployed by entities that lack the market position of the traditional telephone companies. Not only is broadband investment in its infancy, there is plenty of competition from existing network providers and there will be plenty of competition from emerging players. Further, the uncertainty created by even potential government regulation increases the cost of capital for new network providers.