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We
should be loud and clear in the coming weeks like we’ve been before: net
neutrality is crucial to helping everyone, regardless of where they
live or how much money they make, get online.But there’s another way we can fight for an open internet.
Last week, 19 towns across Colorado voted to allow the exploration of creating a local, public alternative to expensive private providers.
Fort
Collins voters went the furthest, passing a measure to finance an
assessment of starting a city-owned broadband utility, which would aim
to provide faster service at a cheaper price. That means residents could
have a say in whether a new public network maintains the principle of
net neutrality, whatever the FCC decides in the future.“People
who don’t normally get excited or vote actually turned out this time
and actually got energized,” said one resident who had campaigned for
the measure.Not everyone was excited. Industry groups spent more than $450,000
campaigning against the measure. In fact, the very reason Colorado
towns had to vote “yes” before even exploring public broadband is
because of an industry-backed state law requiring municipalities to jump
through hoops to take control of their internet infrastructure. (The
industry has successfully pushed similar legislation in over 20 states.)Comcast
and the like are quaking in their boots about a public option, and they
should be. Cities like Chattanooga, Tennessee, which became the first
U.S. city to offer gigabit internet speed after going public, are
outperforming private providers and even forcing them to innovate to
play catch up.Why
shouldn’t internet access be a public good? The web should be like the
Postal Service, which, because it’s public, provides affordable mail
service to everyone, rich or poor, in all areas of the country.And why
should a handful of corporate executives and investors get rich while
providing expensive, slow access and unbearable customer service?
Comcast’s CEO, billionaire Brian Roberts, pocketed $33 million last year alone while running America’s most hated corporation.People
need the internet for life in the 21st century, to communicate, apply
for jobs, and access crucial resources. Everyone should have affordable
access.(17th Nov, 2017 – Donald Cohen)
I would completely support the internet being a public service; there’s no reason that it isn’t considered a fundamental use in this modern day and age, it touches every aspect of our lives just like public roads, education, and government- there’s no reason we shouldn’t have a non-privately owned option!