The ongoing coronavirus outbreak has forced people all around the world to shutter themselves inside their homes for days, weeks, and even months on end in an attempt to prevent the spread of the deadly virus.
And during this pandemic, it’s become increasingly obvious that being able to connect with people without physically interacting with them is crucial to our survival, and internet is arguably the best means of connection, even while social distancing.
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But the unfortunate reality is that not all Americans have access to the internet.
Now more than ever, it’s crucial for people to be able to exchange information and stay connected with each other.
However, according to the UN , around 44% of the planet lacks access to any internet at all. And in America, FCC data shows that some 25 million people lack access to high-speed broadband.
As we continue to battle this outbreak, the need for widespread access to internet for everyone has become highlighted and increasingly vocalized.
As labor economist Julia Pollak expressed on Twitter , internet access is crucial to education. Some schools have offered quarantined students laptops and iPads so that they can continue their curriculum at home.
But there is no guarantee that every student’s household will be connected to the internet, leaving those individuals without access to online learning.
The pandemic has ignited a push for internet to be made a basic utility.
Millions of Americans either cannot access, or cannot afford to access, the internet to stay connected with their families, communicate with their doctors, or continue their education.
This has inspired people to speak out and demand that their government treat internet as a utility so it can be recognized as a necessity, like water and electricity, and be made accessible for all.
Detroit Rep. Elissa Slotkin recently spoke out to vocalize recognizing internet as a basic utility.
“We clearly need to see broadband as a public utility,” she told WDET’s Detroit Today . “There are schools in my district who are not teaching children right now because of broadband [issues].”
She added, “A shovel-ready must-do project is broadband internet.”
Although still considered controversial by some, declaring internet a utility would certainly benefit Americans.
Right now, service providers like Comcast and Verizon are able to slow down, block, or prioritize internet traffic as they see fit. These companies are also free to overcharge customers for their internet services without any interference from federal government.
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The solution? Remove internet from the commercial market and treating access as a public utility.
Those who are pushing for this see two steps for federal governments to make in order to ensure internet access for all.
As outlined in Forbes , these steps are as follows:
First, provide federal funding to build out national broadband capabilities, as well as create publicly-owned broadband networks. And second, require service providers to offer all Americans high-speed, affordable broadband.
The base argument for the push is this: internet should be an American right, not a privilege.
After all, in 2016 the UN publicly declared internet access a basic human right . And now more than ever, the need for this access is incredibly apparent.
As we continue to remain at home and do our part to lessen the spread of the coronavirus, some internet companies are responding to access demands by relaxing data restrictions, and even offering free service for a limited period.
But people are beginning to realize that just isn’t enough, and a real change needs to be made.
h/t: WDET’s Detroit Today , Forbes ,
