Privatising telecom worked out better, in the short term. Long term? Lack of regulation meant all those companies just swallowed each other up until they hit monopoly status over entire areas.
My sister just bought a house. For her phone line and broadband she has the choice between BT, and BT. Meaning her "choice" is to either have internet at whatever they decide to charge, or not have it at all.
Yeah that's really great for the consumer, that is. If you're a feckin eejit. At least GPO phones look retro.
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while it was regarded as pretty good evidence of criminality to be living in a slum, for some reason owning a whole street of them merely got you invited to the very best social occasions.