Part 2/10:
A significant barrier to equitable internet access stems from the monopoly power of large cable and broadband providers. These corporations carve out exclusive territories, avoiding competition by creating zones where they don’t have to compete, effectively leaving some neighborhoods underserved or completely unserved.
This strategic territorial control ensures that wealthy areas receive better coverage and lower prices, while low-income neighborhoods—predominantly communities of color—experience chronic neglect. The result: a digital divide rooted not just in income, but also in systemic greed where profit motives guide infrastructure investments, disadvantaging marginalized populations.