Telcos actually make out like bandits on rural DSL, often getting 300-400% subsidies from the Universal Service Funds. I have a friend who has about 400 rural broadband subscribers and he said he charges $30/month, collects $150/month per customer from the USF, and was also given a $1,000 installation fee from the USF. He has long-since covered hist cost on installing a small DSLAM and running fiber out to that area.