The monopoly was granted in return for all sorts of regulations (namely, universal service). The monopoly protection is gone now, so presumably should the regulations be gone.

Moreover, how relevant is the pre-1980's POTS infrastructure to this whole debate? How many Netflix customers are on DSL that hasn't been rebuilt since the breakup?

> Moreover, how relevant is the pre-1980's POTS infrastructure to this whole debate?

Very

> How many Netflix customers are on DSL that hasn't been rebuilt since the breakup?

Even if its been rebuilt since the property rights were acquired, the fact that the property rights were acquired when the provider had a monopoly and government backing (and the same thing applies to the cable cos that are ISPs as to the telcos) is a substantial advantage over any new entrant.

> Even if its been rebuilt since the property rights were acquired

Everywhere I've lived, cable companies don't own the rights of way, but instead pay municipalities or power companies to run wire along public easements or power lines.