Came across this report <https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2023/06/internet-users-love-fiber-service-too-bad-you-probably-cant-get-it/>, which is interesting to compare with conditions in NZ: In terms of availability, the Federal Communications Commission broadband map indicates that about 38 percent of US residents can get fiber. The percentage drops to 29 percent when including only fiber services that offer gigabit download speeds and at least 100Mbps upload speeds. Basically, US broadband is dominated by companies with heavy investments in cable (and some ADSL), who have no interest in obsoleting that investment any sooner than they have to. Moral: there are places where a free market works, but strategic infrastructure buildouts is not one of them.