I'm sure cable execs are kicking themselves for not implementing usage-based billing two decades ago. Nearly every other service is usage-based but no one complains, because they've always been usage-based.
With water if I don't use it I pay zero. If I use xxxx gallons I pay for xxxx gallons and if I turn the tap and water doesn't come out I get a bill credit at the very least.
With the internet I pay $50/ month whether I use it or not, if I pay for 100gb and I use 105gb then I pay $20 for the overage and if I have DOCSIS and everyone in my neighbourhood is using their internet then too bad for me that it doesn't work.
Not so with Internet. It is more like phone service. If I make a call, nothing needs to be rebuilt for another one.
I believe it is obvious to people and that is why there is push-back.
The DSL/cable discrepancy also used to be smaller, and there were more, smaller cable providers.