Should Internet be counted as a Utility

[l3lackmoses]

Hey guys i was just reading the Verge's article about how "the internet is fucked" and it mention that because the internet is so important to everyday life that it should be counted as a utility. I was wondering how you guys felt about this and created a straw poll. I'm also currently making a speech to give in Public Speaking about Net Neutrality so if i get a significant amount of votes in either direction i'll use it in my speech but mainly im just curious. I'll post results in increments through the next few days.

Here's the Straw poll: http://strawpoll.me/1488141

Here's the article i was talking about: http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/25/5431382/the-internet-is-fucked

[AMICLG]

I feel that the fiber lines to somebody's house should be a public service and at least 10 Mbit which is enough to pay bills etc.

[ObeseWalrus]

10Mb down 2 up should be considered as a utility and anything higher a luxury, because here in Denmark we recently made it impossible to be a Danish citizen without internet access(you can go to the public libary to loan a computer but I think that anyone should be able to do their banking from home). 

[pixeldensity]

you probably should of posted this in the general discussion section.

 

However, while I'm here yes I believe that internet should be a utility as well as 10mbps. As for fiber, maybe that will be considered as a luxury service if the premise that internet is a utility goes through. 

[TheNinjaNextDor]

Stop posting this omg.

[XTankSlayerX]

... Repost... By the same guy....

[AnotherTechGuy]

.

[Jaybird]

no. the internet should be the same thing as satellite tv. 

[Unhelpful]

no. the internet should be the same thing as satellite tv. 

The difference is that the internet has become essential for people to use for work... It isnt just for entertainment.

[l3lackmoses]

The only reason i posted it here was because someone suggested it, calm down

[dizmo]

The difference is that the internet has become essential for people to use for work... It isnt just for entertainment.

Then they have to pay for it...just like someone who is in law enforcement buys a gun to practice when not on duty.

[Unhelpful]

Then they have to pay for it...just like someone who is in law enforcement buys a gun to practice when not on duty.

I'm not saying it should be free... I'm saying that it cannot be compared to satellite TV.

[Norwegiantweaker]

i wouldnt mind for pricing and whatnot but its not exactly life essential lol

[WyzeGye]

According to the UN, Internet access is a basic human right. 

 

take that however you may.

[l3lackmoses]

Update: 
   Got about 40 vote currently, would like more sense i might use this as a source for my speech and the supposed account of a CEO of a wireless company got pissed that i asked this question on Twitter and proceeded to argue with me. 

[Guest]

I really think so. It's such an integral part of life now that there should be some across-the-board ~10MBps plan for everyone.

 

In fact, some parts of the country would probably need internet more than heating oil! (Unfortunately, not here in the tundras of Vermont )

[TheProfosist]

I really dont want to pay per GB...

[Rhotis]

Then they have to pay for it...just like someone who is in law enforcement buys a gun to practice when not on duty.

 

You have to pay for utilities as well at least in the US.  

 

In the US making the ISPs be under the same rules as public utilities would simply force them to treat their customers fairly (to an extent).  

 

The only reason ATT does not charge you 5 bucks everytime you call a verizon customer is because they are considered a public utility for phone calls and it would be illegal.  The phone companies were doing all kinds of crazy things before laws were enacted stopping them from acting like 5 year olds.  

[l3lackmoses]

10Mb down 2 up should be considered as a utility and anything higher a luxury, because here in Denmark we recently made it impossible to be a Danish citizen without internet access(you can go to the public libary to loan a computer but I think that anyone should be able to do their banking from home). 

I agree with this guy. Unfortunately America is retarded when it comes to technology and allowing access to it. When we don't understand something our government goes hands off and lets companies deal with it and leave the people to get run over or goes hands on only in benefit to companies. Its starting to look like the progressive era in american history again, AKA the era of Carnegie and Rockefeller

[Blade of Grass]

Then they have to pay for it...just like someone who is in law enforcement buys a gun to practice when not on duty.

Um... What? 

 

I'm pretty sure (about 99.99999999%) that police officers do not need to pay for anything in relation to shooting (if it's for job purposes, hunting on the weekend is another story). Whether ammo or guns, the government pays for it.

 

Would you want officers with minimal training/experience to be working in your community because they're too cheap/can't afford to buy a handgun? Heck, here in Canada they have to go through the exact same process as any other citizen to buy a handgun (including licensing and wait times).

[Mooshi]

Back in the dial-up days, I would have said no. Before Google existed and internet came in the form of AOL spam discs that I used as frisbees back in the day. But in 2014? Things have changed, the world is more global now. North America, not just the US, is a laughing stock when it comes to Internet compared to the East Asian countries. The internet is not on par with TV service in the slightest. In fact, it pisses me off that our ISPs are so shady where you're forced in many regions to get cable tv with your cable internet, not every region offers stand alone service. Yes, the internet can be used for entertainment too, BUT when TLC, aka "The Learning Channel" gives you shit like Here comes Honey Boo Boo, I question a lot. When it comes to the internet vs tv service, one will forever be the idiot box while the other you can make a living and learn things from.

 

With the economy being so globalized, you have to be really ignorant to actually believe internet now is a non-vital service in the way a tv subscription is. Whoever was implying that this was a demand for 'free' internet is just as ignorant. Last time I checked, utilities cost money like everything else. People are just fed up with having pitiful internet in a globalized world where we have one country working on 2gbps connections while their own is filled with greedy fuck ISPs charging the same amount for 15mbps.

[l3lackmoses]

Luckily i heard in the EU they are upholding net neutrality and even reclassifying what sharing on the internet means (in a good way). if i find the articles i'll post them, i think i heard it on the Tek. South Korea is also doing things right in that soon most of South Korea will have over 100mbs down speeds, atleast thats what i think i saw, but thats because ISP's over there have so much competition between them that they have to innovate to keep customers happy.

[dizmo]

Um... What? 

 

I'm pretty sure (about 99.99999999%) that police officers do not need to pay for anything in relation to shooting (if it's for job purposes, hunting on the weekend is another story). Whether ammo or guns, the government pays for it.

 

Would you want officers with minimal training/experience to be working in your community because they're too cheap/can't afford to buy a handgun? Heck, here in Canada they have to go through the exact same process as any other citizen to buy a handgun (including licensing and wait times).

I was referring to personal time. It does of course vary from police service to police service, but some require you to leave your service weapon at work.

If you want to train outside of the building (at home, private range, etc) you have to buy your own firearm for it.

[dizmo]

You have to pay for utilities as well at least in the US.  

 

In the US making the ISPs be under the same rules as public utilities would simply force them to treat their customers fairly (to an extent).  

 

The only reason ATT does not charge you 5 bucks everytime you call a verizon customer is because they are considered a public utility for phone calls and it would be illegal.  The phone companies were doing all kinds of crazy things before laws were enacted stopping them from acting like 5 year olds.  

That's not necessarily true. If you look at a lot of power companies, you'll actually get charged more once you surpass a certain level of consumption for the month, as well as the time of day you use the power.

Honestly that's exactly what people are trying to avoid with the internet, with throttling and high use surcharges.

[NARAKU_KAT]

For me, Internet is more like a huge external hard drive where i find everything i want, the browsers on the other hand, are just Utilities.