At least with public utilities you can actually communicate with (many of) them by phone or email. Public utilities have to answer to someone and they don't like when dissatisfied customers file complaints (which creates work and potential blow back).

True, but it make it easier to regulate things like price hikes.

In fact I'm pretty sure it's in the job description.

My ISP may treat me like crap but my ISP doesn't stop me from using the internet how I wish (aside from criminal activity, of course).