Here's what Comcast and Verizon are doing to Netflix streaming- and this is a big deal

[tkmorris]

56. They have money. Bags of it

They want more. No surprise there, it's what businesses do, but normally there comes a point past which customers will revolt. That means buying a different product, or using a different vendor, or simply not buying that good or service at all.

In this case though that isn't really practical. Internet service is something people NEED, much like common utilities such as water and electricity. Doing without is not a reasonable option. Changing providers is not an option for most either, because there is no real competition. Most of us can get DSL through the local telco, or cable, and that's it. Neither one has any motivation to upgrade their infrastructure because as you mentioned that costs money and they don't have to. Their customers are at their mercy.