You've got my up vote for your argument on giving a new network the right to choose to do QoS. But, I disagree on your conclusions.
The FCC's previous decisions to keep the existing carriers from becoming common carriers was supposed to incentive new broadband service. New broadband service did not happen, your theorized metro ethernet never came about. So, since we are stuck with regional monopolies granting them further privileges is blindingly stupid.
You are correct as well to say that it is "disingenuous to claim net neutrality is the only way to save the 'net". Another option was to open up the infrastructure & allow competition on it, like other countries have successfully done. But, the FCC has already chosen not to do that leading us to where we are today.
There's metro ethernet for businesses in a lot of markets. And weird stuff like Sonic's flexlink, and of course things like Cogent.
The residential market is horrible, but I think the economics of providing good networking to suburban homes are difficult. In cities like SF, the city itself is a major impediment. In a place like Austin, there should be a lot more options than there are (thank you, Google!). Business service and multi-dwelling building service is where I think there's a lot of untapped potential.
The FCC's previous decisions to keep the existing carriers from becoming common carriers was supposed to incentive new broadband service. New broadband service did not happen, your theorized metro ethernet never came about. So, since we are stuck with regional monopolies granting them further privileges is blindingly stupid.
You are correct as well to say that it is "disingenuous to claim net neutrality is the only way to save the 'net". Another option was to open up the infrastructure & allow competition on it, like other countries have successfully done. But, the FCC has already chosen not to do that leading us to where we are today.