The difference is that modern broadband internet is more akin so a necessary utility like water or electricity than it is to luxury goods. Further that telecomms have received billions in subsidies to build out infrastructure to these communities and have lobbied against municipal competition.

If you put yourself in position of gatekeeper of an essential service then it's reasonable to put a burden on you to do due diligence to make sure that service is equally accessible.

Not to mention record profits, so it's not like these giants are hanging on by the skin of their teeth.