| PUC Authority? Since internet access is not typically a regulated service, it becomes interesting where a Public Utility Commission would obtain authority to require carriers to do anything. While Carlini makes reference to the Flint Cable Commission and Michigan Public Utilities Commission*, it certainly is not clear where regulatory authority over cable internet for either is derived from.
From there, setting aside (to a degree) the discussion regarding up to and best effort arguments associated with delivered internet bandwidth, as well as a potential disconnect between the manner in which internet services are advertised compared with the fine print contents of the TOS, multiple service tiers offer their own set of potential issues. With many providers now offering between 2 and 5 different tiers of service, situations where a subscriber pays for a higher tier while receiving bandwidth rates consistent with a lower, less expensive tier becomes somewhat problematic with regard to various consumer protection laws.
* - Not to nit-pick, but the reference should be to the Michigan Public Service Commission. |
