Telecoms oftentimes make deals with the government - in exchange for some sort of advantage, they agree to provide a certain level of service.  Linked from the article:<p><i>Verizon predecessor New Jersey Bell agreed to the statewide broadband buildout in a 1993 agreement with the state. In exchange for a different form of price regulation that would allow the company to make more money, &quot;Verizon agreed to upgrade its network to provide broadband to every Verizon New Jersey business and residential customer, school, and library for 100 percent of its service territory,&quot; according to the state&#x27;s Division of Rate Counsel.</i><p><a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;arstechnica.com&#x2F;tech-policy&#x2F;2014&#x2F;04&#x2F;verizon-led-massive-astroturf-campaign-to-end-nj-broadband-obligation&#x2F;" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;arstechnica.com&#x2F;tech-policy&#x2F;2014&#x2F;04&#x2F;verizon-led-massi...</a>