Why does my ISP charge so much for Higher internet speed?

[TheOtherGuy]

I live in a sorta rural area and only get 0.85 up and 0.40 up for around $40/month, but there's companies available 20 miles from here that offer up to 6mbps for the same price. This is the only company available here so are they just ripping us off or is it more expensive for the company to get high speed internet? It's just 20 miles.
it's like $30/month for an extra 1mbps.

[Bagel the Cat]

They do it because they can get away with it, especially being the only provider in that area.