Internet as Utility
Debates on whether internet access should be classified and regulated as a public utility similar to electricity, water, or phone services, covering arguments for universal access, natural monopolies, and government regulation of ISPs.
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So why isn't internet an utility?
That sounds like internet access should be a public utility, with all that implies.
The are critical pieces of the modern world yes. But not a utility. One cannot live without a utility and utilities generally have a monopoly in most places. If my power or water company bans me for some reason I am toast. I have to endure undue hardship to get something that provides may be 10% of the utility (own well, water pump, generator...). Internet itself (the pipes) on the other hand are probably a utility. I prefer the natural gas like solution though for internet. Someone owns the inf
Electricity is a public utility, not a right. A public utility is a regulated entity that must supply anyone in their region who follows the rules -- and, in general, if you break the rules but then fix your behavior, they must allow you service again. The existence of a public utility does not forbid a private competitor, but the scale advantage of a public utility is generally overwhelming unless you have specialized needs.It is reasonable to suggest that Internet bandwidth should be a publ
As far as I can tell Internet is not a utility either in the U.S. so what's your point?
Utility services start off as luxuries, and are private and unregulated. This was true with telephone and electric companies. When these services get to a certain point where there are real consequences for not being able to access the system, they need to have public regulation to ensure access and customer service. ISP internet service has definitely reached this point, and I think that there's a strong argument that Google & FB accounts (particularly for businesses) have reached t
Why not just make the internet a public utility?
wondering if this could pave the road for treating internet service as a utility too
But the internet is not a utility...
The internet is a utility. Legislate it as such. Which you think would be obvious, considering the much less utilized telephone line is considered a utility.