I can spin up a lightning daemon on one of my existing web servers quite quickly. And I could add bitcoind to it easily if it wasn't already on a particular machine. The barriers to entry are low. The cost on an existing server is negligible, but it can bring in revenue. It may be that this increases the number of bitcoin nodes because of this.
Whats the point of you being able to run a lightning node if no payments will be routed through it ?
Just because you can run a node doesn't mean it will be used. You will have to compete with the bigger hubs on fees and uptime.
The best lightning setup is with one central hub.
What is your definition of "bigger hubs"?
My cost is essentially zero, so my fees would be low (or zero if I wanted). My web servers are well connected, good memory, reasonably high CPU power, high bandwidth, low latency, extremely high uptime nodes. The web sites have been online continuously since 1993 or 1994 (depending on the web site). Why wouldn't payments be routed through any one I decided to set up?
I don't see "bigger hubs" being a relevant factor - or even a useful description - as to why these "bigger hubs" would be more attractive than one I spun up on a different server. What would they offer that someone couldn't duplicate quite easily? :-)