I don't think DNS is a good example. The two companies that are best at it provide the service for free.
There's no doubt that there are maintenance costs but the only time I /think/ they would be large is when moving to a new technology.
I heard yesterday that Time Warner Cable is going to raise their modem rental rates from 3.49 to 5.99 and they would make an extra hundred million or so. That's complete bullshit.
You rent your equipment?
Most ISPs over here send you a free router and don't even want it back when you leave. There was only Be who wanted theirs back when I left. They seem to be generally viewed as disposable.
Wasn't sure about the DNSs but I think what I meant was is it just lay the cables, etc. and forget about it or are there more costs involved? Staff, electric, the Boss's Ferrari, etc.
We pay far more for our water and that falls out of the sky :O
DSL usually provide a free modem, cable makes you rent them. I personally own my cable modem, but have to rent the modem for my phones. If you have static IP's they make you use/rent their modem. It's all a racket that makes them rich while they cry poor to the government.
Ha, yes but you can't live without water! Plus you'd stink without it!
That's what deodorant's for. :)
My cynical side is willing to believe that in 50 years water'll be our most precious valuable commodity.
I don't give a fuck about Murdoch, but i spend a reasonable portion of my working day collecting on unpaid Sky bills and seeing the inventive ways they can rip people off and treat them like shit has made me hate them with a passion. There's no fucking way i will ever give them any of my money.