The only real way for the FCC to punish Comcast is to fine or otherwise monetarily sanction them.

Which then gets passed on to subscribers in the form of higher prices for service.

So who really loses?

When they raise prices, they lose market share. When they lose market share, the other telecoms sit up and take notice and don't repeat the offending behavior.

Sorry Comcast customers, but it's for the good of the collective. Switch to someone else if the rates get too steep.

That's the problem mstrlance, they won't lose marketshare. There's not enough competition(hardly any really) in the broadband arena in a majority of US markets. Comcast can do whatever the fuck they want and there isn't too much that customers can do about it. Their customer service is atrocious yet they continue to make a fat profit every quarter. What you suggest WOULD work in a free market, but there isn't one.

I told Comcast to fuck off a few months ago. I'm on AT&T DSL now and much happier with both the speed, service and price.

I tried one of those Verizon wireless deals but I live so close to Canada that it kept roaming to Canadian towers and the bills went through the roof so I ditched that for the DSL. Verizon was cool and credited me for the roaming charges and waived the early disconnection fee as well... so no beef there.

How do they lose marketshare?

In my area, Comcast is the only game in town. Your alternatives are AT&T DSL, spotty longdistance WiFi, or dial-up. There are no other cable providers.

Perhaps that isn't the case in other areas, I'm sort of out in the sticks.

God, I fucking love my municipal broadband. No asshattery anywhere to be found.

I fuck your head.

I call sloppy seconds on the head fucking.

I am also stuck with Comcast until those Verizon niggers finally stop being lazy and get FIOS put in out here.

I hate Comcast, but they are the only game in town.

For those with a choice:

1. Take Comcast and bend them over
2. Give them a goodbye fuck
3. Switch providers

Like C_A said, the only ouch a company recognizes is to their bottom line. A fine hurts, but having a negative cash flow of your monthly dues from Comcast to their competitor in your market, really hurts. It also helps grow the competition.

PS.. I have business DSL, have been a DSL sub since the late 90s, and still love the simple, but effective technology. Sure, I whine when others are getting 6 down / 1.5 up, but except for those bursts of freeleech days, my 1.5/512 does me well.

In the end, the US just blows monkey cock when it comes to high speed.