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I'm not sure that's a good argument for usage-based pricing.

Also, common carrier phone services only had usage charges for long-distance service.

Someone else just needs to come out with better and cheaper services. Comcast sucks and is milking their monopoloy.

> Also, common carrier phone services only had usage charges for long-distance service.

Not really true. Maybe within an exchange--don't really remember. But there were certainly usage-based charges even within an area code.

Maybe back in th 1980s. I haven't had usage based pricing in the same area code for decades.

The North Shore of Boston had it based on EXCHANGE within an area code in the early 2000's. If I wanted to dial up to AOL, and the one for my city was busy, I would pay both AOL per minute and pay Verizon. If I wanted "free" email from Juno, I would have to call within my area code, but outside my exchange and pay per minute.

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