As Bulgaria came into discussion, let me give you a short glimpse at what the biggest cable company in Romania (4th rank in Akamai average peak connection speed 2012) has to offer. For about 25 USD you will get: - 100Mbps Internet access fiber optic, - +100 TV channels including HBO, HBOGo, - one 3G data SIM with 3GB/month, - access to various WIFI hotspots around the country, - 1 phone landline with various free minutes.
All this infrastructure for this network was build in the past 15 years and it is national. Romania is as big as Oregon State.
In my opinion the prices in US for triple-play are as the article states very very high.
It makes sense to compare US prices with western/northern Europe, as they are similarly rich/developed.
But to compare prices in the USA with those in eastern Europe doesn't seem right. In nominal terms, the GDP per capita of the USA is 6 times that of Romania, and 4 times by purchasing power parity.
All this infrastructure for this network was build in the past 15 years and it is national. Romania is as big as Oregon State.
In my opinion the prices in US for triple-play are as the article states very very high.