The dumb pipe argument has been around for a couple years now. These companies (cable, satellite, telecom) absolutely do not want to become utilities. It limits their control over their product, and cuts off several high-yield revenue streams.
If they were regulated like a utility (water or electricity, for instance), you would see any and all arbitrary surcharges disappear, and these happen to be the biggest cash cows for these companies.
If they were regulated like a utility (water or electricity, for instance), you would see any and all arbitrary surcharges disappear, and these happen to be the biggest cash cows for these companies.