Some operators do have their own infrastructure and most large ISPs have equipment in local exchanges and operate their own backhaul.
Lots of it is just about marketing though.
Lots of it is just about marketing though.
But in that case, doesn't it make more sense for the government to just cut out the middleman and offer internet to consumers directly? What is the company's value-add?
They might even own the peering network closet (which is often a weatherproof enclosure with a backup generator).