From what I've seen, there isn't a simple answer. In places where bandwidth is exorbantantly expensive (such as outside the United States), simply over provisioning isn't an acceptable answer.
In Europe it's becoming cheaper too - especially to major cities.
Why does BW cost so much?
My personal feeling is "because people pay the price". This can be seen from talks with a few carriers who are bringing up additional long-haul fiber capacity, and when asked how that will affect the pricing, they just say "We'll stay ahead of the competition". Simon -- Simon Lockhart | Tel: +44 (0)1737 839676 Internet Engineering Manager | Fax: +44 (0)1737 839516 BBC Internet Services | Email: Simon.Lockhart@bbc.co.uk Kingswood Warren,Tadworth,Surrey,UK | URL: http://support.bbc.co.uk/