Digital Cable was developed to allow the CATV industry to compete with Satellite. DOCSIS was a bonus technology and cables bluebird. The Wireline Telephone Industry offered DSL before DOCSIS was available. Unfortunately teleco never had a bluebird fly in. Unless the Wireline Telephone Industry comes up with a technology that allows much higher speed broadband over twisted pair or they make the investment to deploy fiber, their days are numbered.
CAPS and overage fees follow the same Modus Operandi as Teleco tried to use in the late 90's. There was a day of reckoning when Teleco wanted to convert all telephone lines used by ISP's for dial up internet access to measured rate. Fortunately the Clinton Administration put Teleco on a short leash by having the FCC block Teleco's request. Unfortunately for consumers Teleco learned how to Lobby up. It is time the broadband industry received a good dose of regulation in order to protect consumers.