A study by the Gartner Group market research firm suggests that as many as 90% of the approximately 4,500 Internet Service Providers in the United States may disappear over the next five years. One reason for consolidation of service providers is price competition: with the largest ISPs offering flat-rate access for $20 a month in the U.S., small operators have a difficult time making covering their costs and keeping their prices at the same levels.

(c) Financial Times