In the US, many telecoms operate as a legal monopoly. In exchange for a more or lesscaptive market, telecoms are legally obligated to maintain certain levels of service, among other things - such as rolling out upgrades.

This is supposed to provide a higher level of service to the consumer/citizen of the area that makes the agreement, while also meaning telecoms don't waste their massive upfront costs by having no customers. It's supposed to provide the same impetus to improve service as competition. In practice, you get this kind of nonsense.