And users expect their internet services to be fast. If every request involves leaving the backbone to go all the way into your home and then back out again, good luck with that.

I think the better solution is to leverage cheap vms. At least performance stands a chance. It's just a matter of making cloud computers accessible and usable to non technical people.

> I think the better solution is to leverage cheap vms.

So...centralize many/most popular internet services on infrastructure that provides cheap, reliable VMs. At the risk of overdrafting my snark budget: that sounds familiar.

Data caps on upload as well not to mention many ISP's have terms that prevent you from running services on your account. If you want that from them you need a business account which typically costs quite a bit more. At least that's how Comcast and Verizon are in my neighborhood...

Perhaps the definition of net neutrality could be extended to cover this problem. I mean, if we want an internet where everybody is treated equally, then symmetric upload/download speeds are a basic requirement.

The tricky thing is that ISPs have traditionally offered symmetrical service, but only as "business class". So they would protest that they already sell that, customers just need to pay (double, triple) to get it. That said, my (just residential) fiber connection consistently tests slightly faster upstream than down.