system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Monopolies are illegal, but I only have one choice for cable internet

I've got 'high speed'  though comcast (20Mb/s in my area), and I'm currently pulling 200KB/s, which is roughly 1Mb/s. Why the heck don't I have other options for a cable internet provider?
gpt
Monopolies are not illegal.

Abusing the power you hold if you have a monopoly is illegal. So even though they hold a monopoly the company supplying your cable are meant to treat you as is they did not (ie supply the same quality and price as they would in a non monopolistic area all other things being the same).

Companies can even get released from that requirement if they go to the local government and make a deal to invest a given amount in local infrastructure in exchange for a monopoly for X years.