Thursday, October 02, 2008
Internet Service Providers (ISP)
McCullagh, Declan. (2005, June 23). Should cities be ISPs? Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Cnet News
The author McCullagh stated on Cnet News that people were infuriated by the municipal governments decision to give the town free Internet access. Even though these people and private owned business may believe that the government would over tax and regulate their business, it is better for the low-income residents to have free access to the Internet. Having the government provide Internet allows for them to cut back on telecommunication cost, and it also allows people the same opportunity to prosper in the 21st century.
"When Philadelphia's city government decided to sell wireless access to downtown residents last year, a furious political fight in the state capital erupted."
"Neff said the estimated $10 million project could ultimately save the city's government up to $2 million in telecommunications bills, which it could in theory reroute to other social programs. Municipal governments need to do this because "we want to ensure our families and children have the abilities they need to compete in the 21st century."
I think everyone should have the same opportunity to get Internet access. I do not believe it is fair for the government to provide free Internet access but I also do not believe it is fair for the cable and phone companies to duopolize the market either. By having businesses, people have jobs and it allows for the economy to prosper. The lower income residents should get government vouchers to help them afford Internet access and the private corporations can stay in business. If the government hands out the voucher efficiently than they can save money on their telecommunication bills. It is a win-win situation.
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A good post. Low cost, high-speed access to the web is crucial to bridging the digital divide here in the U.S. If the market fails to provide it then government must step into provide the service, or vouchers, or to regulate the market so that low-income households can have access to the information services that the wealthy take for granted.
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