Freedom Broadband, or the French way

French regulators have approved a cut in broadband prices to 20 euros (about $26) for 2 mpbs, in order to "accelerate the development of high-speed infrastructures and improve coverage in rural areas." Many Americans would call this heavy-handed, and indeed, France has been well behind the US?? and even the rest of the EU -- in broadband penetration. They were late to the Internet, since they got a little stuck on the proprietary Minitel system for too long.