I have good friends in both England and Austria and their service is slower than it is here and in the case of England, somewhat interrupted on occasion, at least in the Yorkshire area. My Yorkshire friend was over about a year ago and remarked at the speed of our Verizon service, even out in our pokey town. I've not thought to ask about any government intrusiveness.
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"The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."
--George Orwell