Broadband Internet a Legal Right
 

http://apcmag.com/finland-declares-1...egal-right.htm


We can't even make up our minds about health care.

Re: Broadband Internet a Legal Right
 

First off just to get the facts straight -- looking at map to confirm -- although Finland is tiny population-wise, the landmass is pretty large even if most of the population is concentrated in larger cities. So while the logistics are easier than doing the same for the entire U.S., they're not as easy as the article implies with "tiny European nation". Finland isn't Malta.

As for the U.S., I see larger cities and smaller states doing practically the same thing soon, if some haven't already. And I'm sure as the years go on, it will trickle down to the smaller cities and towns, and become much like the water, gas, and power utilities are today.

Even then, I don't think there's any federal law stating the rights of citizens to clean water, electricity, roads, sewers, or anything else like those that we take for granted.

Re: Broadband Internet a Legal Right
 

Ok, healthcare is one thing, but broadband? We're now talk about making a convenience a legal right? What about cell phones? Should we make them a legal right too?

Re: Broadband Internet a Legal Right
 

This is just an unbelievably huge thing. And here I am thinking that the $50 I'm going to pay every month for a 20Mbit connection is a good fee.

I don't think the internet is in the same league as cell phones. The internet is much more than being convenient. A big part of life is internet-dependent, to be honest. Cell phones are much more of a convenience (although, of course, not for everybody).

And btw, we're talking about Finland, as the article points out, the home of Nokia, the world's biggest cell phone manufacturer. They're probably are a birth-right there :p

Re: Broadband Internet a Legal Right
 

Well, the internet it still available to those who don't have broadband. There is dial-up and anyone who has a landline (a legal right) has access to it. I mention broadband as a convenience because it's a measurement of speed, not access.

As for it being Finland, I'm surprised they don't already have universal broadband being as small as that nation is.

Re: Broadband Internet a Legal Right
 

Key:

These sorts of things are much easier to accomplish in small, homogeneous countries.

Re: Broadband Internet a Legal Right
 

It doesn't matter - it's the principle of it. Government funds are being used to pave the way for everyone to have internet of a decent speed.

Do you believe, no matter how easy it would be to do, that that would go over very well here? People can't even come to terms with the fact that their money will be used to pay for someone else's healthcare.

Re: Broadband Internet a Legal Right
 

Dial Up is unusable in this day of age.

When you think about laying broadband, why not do it like this? Look at the United States, we have some of the worst Internet service in the world. Wasn't there a huge push to lay telephone lines across the country? The Internet has become the number one method of information exchange. It promotes education, schools use it (an email and Internet connection is pretty much mandatory for college, high school, and even middle school, and the alternative is a public library).

My only concern with getting the Government involved with Internet is the lack of privacy and censorship. At least in America you can buy broadband from companies that are loyal to their customers; well, except for Comcast. And they have a monopoly on a large portion of the country. But then, even with privatized ISPs, the gov can still subpoena users and regulate the Internet. It's scary stuff.

The Internet is going to be the future intellectual and consumerism battle grounds. Don't be surprised if it is 100% different in 20 years.

Re: Broadband Internet a Legal Right
 

My comment was more from a policy sense. You could certainly argue the principle of citizens being entitled to broadband, but pragmatically it is much easier to accomplish in a country such as Finland than the United States. But, I see your point.