[yk]

We have essentially such a system in Germany, does not work well. Thing is, that the owner of the network has then to compete with the resellers, but the resellers need to play nice with the owner. The result is a total mess of regulation to force the network owner ( T-Systems) to play nice.

[a3n]

Back in the dial-up days I had my choice of ISPs. Some people chose on price, I chose on quality/service, and mine wasn't that much more than the cheapos.

I can't recall any issues with the underlying phone company operator of the wires, although that may be because the wires were primarily for phone and they have to work by law (I think).

I miss the days of being able to choose my ISP. Now I have Comcast, with CenturyLink DSL an inferior possible second choice.

[NorthGuy1]

We have the same system in Canada and the wholesaler ISP (Bell) famously imposed unpopular usage based billing on the re-seller (TekSavvy) to kill the only advantage it had over the ISP.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/crtc-approves-usage-based-...