ILLEGAL CABLE COMPETITION?

So, apparently I do not know what free market is. I have been trying to get the best deal in terms of cable service, but apparently there is no best deal available, there is only the deal. Right now I am using Time Warner Cable as cable provider. I got the digital TV pack and it seems that in order to have digital TV you need to select at least the 50 bucks package. I am now thinking to go back to non digital TV as my TV screens are small and video quality is not that great. However, a while ago I noticed that another cable provider had some good deals going on. I am referring to Optimum.

So, I decided to check with them what kind of deal I could get. You know what they answered me? They told me that my area was served by Time Warner Cable and so I should get in touch with them. WHAT?????? I do not have any choice? You are telling me that the cable companies have formed some kind of cartel where they split the areas to cover so that they do not overlap?! This means that they can all make money, deciding to charge whatever they want since the customer does not have any choice!!!
This is not free market! This is free mafia! Is this even legal at all????? So I guess I am stuck with my cable company and their prices and service! I am surprised no one is saying anything about this. What would happen if we had to have the same thing for cell-phones? Can you imagine?
Think people think!