[chiefalchemist]

I'm not so sure monopoly captures the root of the internet access problem. Yes, in many markets there is a single provider (e.g., Comcast). There are other providers (e.g., Verizon). But neither enters the other's markets.

I'm not suggesting their is a spoken conspiracy. But when neither side benefits from direct competition, what's the word for that?

[OtterCoder]

Trust, in the business sense of the word.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trust_(business)

In the days of Rockefeller, these things were a little more formal. Nowadays companies know better than to put such silent agreements in writing.