Paid relays are the future. That said, having too many paid relays could get expensive for some. We'll have to try to find a balance.
Discussion
Relays will go to apps/channels, paying for the infra of microapps means it will be on users to decide which they want to pay to follow. People tend to be more careful in selections when there is money involved than when practically every choice is free.
That's my point. If relays and apps charge $5 a month, I won't be using 19 relays. A price point will need to be found that's advantageous to both business operator and consumer.
Of course, and the market will do that. When relays/channels come about they’ll focus more on content and client and leverage the relay as a business model, like monetising a large Twitter or substack following, they’ll filter that through their relays.
You might pay $5/month over 19 relays if 19 providers gave you that much value and took out costs for other services in your world.
In the meantime there will be plenty of apps you don’t consume just as there are today. With a smaller userbase fees will be lower, it will find equilibrium as it grows.
It's like the same problem MSM faced. Ain't nobody got the time/money to watch/pay: Netflix, Disney+, Peacock, Paramount, HBO, etc...
Unbundling-> Bundling -> Unbundling-> Bundling -> Unbundling-> Bundling ...