The relationship with Aliant is different than that with a hardware manufacturer, anony. Aliant is in either a monopoly position or a two-company oligopoly, meaning that it has more power than a company in a competitive market. Aliant (NBTel) has received significant subsidies from our governments and they have more responsibilities to the citizens than a private company which has been created in free-market. Also, Aliant's services are becoming essential services (like electricity) for our post-industrial economy. Aliant, and other telecommunications companies, have to be pressured by government to remain neutral, which they don't seem to be doing. Follow this link for more information: http://jarche.com/?p=1055