Internet access should be free

I believe that Internet access should be free for everyone. I believe that the system of Internet Service Providors is a dreadful sham on the public. I believe that it would be easy to implement a worldwide system of free internet access (free, except for the cost of a local phone call). I believe major benevolent societies, universities, charities, etc... could get together and build an enormous network of computers, in each country. All you would have to do, is dial into their computers to log into the internet, bypassing the need for an ISP.

Think about it... granted, the cost of running the internet would be enourmous, but shouldn't that be offset by advertising that we are already subjected to via pop-ups? Public TV is basically free, all you have to pay for is the TV itself and the electricity cost of running it... the content is paid by advertising to the broadcasters. This should be the same for the internet!!!

What do you think?

 

Do you know:

99% of the worlds inhabitants have never used the internet?

70% have never even used a phone?

This is riduclous.

Let's give the people clean water, shelter, medicine and freedom from domestic and foreign aggression before we give them the bloody internet.

The internet is a luxury, not a right, as is water, shelter, medicine and freedom from aggression.

Can we say 'priorities'?

- Scarlet.

 

Yes I agree. It should be free, everybody should be able to connect with whatever they want to shift their attention too. And even though I add something to the internet, the internet stays the same, but now with my addition to it.

Think of the possibilities that exist if we combine that which we already know with eachother, can we built a better car, a faster car, a smaller car. Someelse says "well, what about my knowledge about computers? Can you add something to it, so we can make them faster, smaller, better?" Ok, If I have part knowledge and you have part knowledge, lets combine a get a new knowledge, and see if it gets better. If not, we try again.
Let knowledge be free, let everyone taste from the tree of knowledge, and we shall know what is better than that which was.




DD - The Divine

 

AOL free trial disks: Reinstall and the service is free forever baby!

AOL = Dumb

 

Free internet would be laggy, congested, and wouldn't get better then that anytime soon.

In the beginning after the DOD kinda lost interest in the 'beta' internet that BBN had built, BBN took it and more or less created the modern internet. And that internet would probably still be around today, running on the same crappy cables (and not fiber-optic) if private ISPs hadn't come on the scene and invested millions for a better backbone. And they continue to pump in millions to upgrade hardware continually because if they don't their customers get unhappy.

Just remember that you get what you pay for. And I'd rather pay a little and have a decent internet experience downloading Troops, then have it for free and not even be able to load this page in under 3 minutes.

Most people who can afford a computer can afford an internet connection. So I don't see what good a free internet connection is going to do for people who can't afford a computer (Hey! Maybe we could give those out for free as well!).

EDIT: If you are interested you actually CAN get a free ISP. I used one for about four hours once. Look one up in google and see how long you put up with having 1/4 of your screen covered with ads and having the connection go from slow to non-existent.

 

I believe that Internet access should be free for everyone. I believe that the system of Internet Service Providors is a dreadful sham on the public. I believe that it would be easy to implement a worldwide system of free internet access (free, except for the cost of a local phone call). I believe major benevolent societies, universities, charities, etc... could get together and build an enormous network of computers, in each country. All you would have to do, is dial into their computers to log into the internet, bypassing the need for an ISP.

This is simply not possible. First, there is the cost of the equipment. For each computer dialing into an ISP, you need to have a modem connected to a phone line for them. How many people would be connected at peak usage? You would need that many modems (or face busy signals, a common problem for AOL in its early days).

Broadband capabilities require too much of an upgrade to existing infrastructure to be feasible for it (as well as requiring costly equipment on the user's end).

Satellite would still require expensive equipment for the user (as well as many more satellites).

Wireless might be an option, except it is extremely limited in range (the FCC barely approved a new form of WiFi with a range of 4 miles). Considering that we don't have nationwide cell phone coverage yet (there are still many dead spots out there), there is no feasible way to do nationwide WiFi coverage.

Think about it... granted, the cost of running the internet would be enourmous, but shouldn't that be offset by advertising that we are already subjected to via pop-ups? Public TV is basically free, all you have to pay for is the TV itself and the electricity cost of running it... the content is paid by advertising to the broadcasters. This should be the same for the internet!!!

Advertising revenues are currently at an all-time low for internet web sites. Many sites are abandoning pop-ups because they are ineffective and annoy the consumers. Many programs (and even some browsers like Mozilla 1.2.1) can block pop-ups completely. The number of subscription web sites is up.

Why? Because people are getting annoyed with advertising on the internet. On TV, advertisers have to make their ads intersting. On the internet, they tend to make them annoying. On TV, ads do not intrude themselves upon you, but can even be entertaining. On the internet, they rely more on trickery ("Your computer is broadcastng an IP address...", etc.) to convince you.

A "free" advertising-supported web is not possible right now until advertisers get with it and realize that they need to cater to consumers.

TSB, I agree with you (TSB? You can get off the floor now. I know it was a shock, but... TSB? SOMEONE CALL A DOCTOR!!!! ).

However, I doubt the accuracy of your statistics. The US covers about 5% of the world's population, and about 50% of US homes have a personal computer (and of those about 90% have Internet access). That means that just from US homes alone (neglecting libraries, work places, schools, etc.), about 2% of the world has Internet access.

Kimball Kinnison

 

Free internet? No thanks. I agree with what Dathka said.

1) There will be an enourmous cost for that. To be completely subsidized with ads, you would get to see tons of ads, as well as having to click on them every so often (30 minutes maybe?)

2) Without the incentive of profit, the Common ISP would have little incentive to place new technology and wiring into the system. We all like our cable modems, DSL, or even T3s at work. Without competition and the need to draw more customers, why should the ISP improve?

3) As Kimball_Kinnison said, WiFi is somewhat of an option. There are a handful of small towns where they do have WiFi in place. Kinda cool. This would be paid for by the municipality probably and come out of your taxes. But there still would be plenty of problems with that.
WiFi wouldn't necessarily have to be nationwide, but could start in certain cities and locations. WiFi also wouldn't work on the cellular telephone network, but would have to establish its own network. Again, a high cost.
But while WiFi available in the city would be cool, businesses would still get their own internet access. WiFi is too slow for that high-speed, high-density internet. Currently WiFi is even slower than DSL and Cable.

 

The internet is a luxury item, the same as cable television.

No one is entitled to have internet access for free at their homes.

Now, you can always go to your public library and utilize the internet for free, as long as it isn't for pornography.

 

''I believe that it would be easy to implement a worldwide system of free internet access (free, except for the cost of a local phone call). ''

Well - we certainly have this in the UK, but it works out as more expensive then a cable modem if you use it a lot.

 

yes, the UK seems to be ahead of the states on this one as its common to have free internet access.

For example "Freeserve" only costs the price of the phone call, and there are a number of ISPs that have completely free internet access using 800 numbers (although some of them limit you to off-peak dial-up only).

A number of telecommunication companies offer completely free internet too. I was with NTL who provided your household telephone line, cable TV and 24/7 free internet for a single fee, which was less than the line rental for a BT phoneline.

I think BT offers free dial-up internet for their phone subscribers too. If I remember, the UK Government has a policy to get everyone online in the UK by the year 2006 or something.

As the above posters mention, if you want free internet go to your local library. Most University libraries will give you internet access too, after you sign up for a free account by giving them personal information.

I agree with everyone above that the internet is a luxury - we'd happily survive without the internet (with the exception of a few sad lonely people). There are far more important issues the world needs to sort out before getting internet to the masses.

You might want to think more about getting every child in the world an education, and the ability to read and write. (its kinda a prerequiste to use the internet )

Perhaps food and clean water for the starving in Africa this christmas time ?

Things like that are slightly more important than getting spotty teenagers a new source of porn.

malkie

 

malkieD2: Perhaps food and clean water for the starving in Africa this christmas time ?

Things like that are slightly more important than getting spotty teenagers a new source of porn.

Actually we're trying to give African nations thousands of tons of food but nations like Zambia are refusing it... they'd rather starve then eat genetically modified grain (the same grain the majority of Americans are feeding their children).

If they're that suspicious of our food, imagine what it would be like trying to give them free internet service . Especially when they discover what happens when their spotty teenagers start surfing .

 

I agree with many on this topic: the internet is a luxury. It's a service, like the telephone. People pay for telephone service. Most people even pay for water service. Why would they NOT charge for internet access?

 

Although I am not sure of my position on this, I believe we can not consider the Internet to be the equivalent of cable or a telphone for one simple reason:

The Internet is Power.

When you have access to the internet, the world is at your fingertips. To allow the rich to have this advantage is something that definetely (sp) needs to be discussed.

Also, I would rather have my tax money going towards free internet and its upkeep than for a missle-defense system whose cost is not nearly worth as much as its benefit.

But that is another thread entirely.

 

Good point Cheveyo - why should it be free ? Its a service, we use it, hence we should pay for it.

The content on the internet is largely free, but the service (telephone lines, servers etc) require maintences.

Wow - thats crazy that some nations are refusing aid from America silly people

malkie

 

Cheveyo: Why would they NOT charge for internet access?

Because in theory the free sharing of ideas could bring about the golden age of mankind, and that can only happen when EVERYONE is online. Regardless of financial situation.

But then again the idea might not work. I personally don't think it will . As Dogbert said "But if they're all sharing their ignorance..." .

UPDATE:

Jediflyer: When you have access to the internet, the world is at your fingertips. To allow the rich to have this advantage is something that definetely (sp) needs to be discussed.

*does a double-take* Wait a minute... we're rich? Yeaahaa!

But I would contest that the internet is all this grand and glorious power. I've been online since 1995 and all I've done is wasted about as many man hours as it took to build the space shuttle . That and I've accidentally stumbled on more porn sites then I care to recall.

 

"But if they're all sharing their ignorance..."

Excellent point! Remember that much of what is "posted" on the internet is garbage, fiction, or half-truth.

On this topic, I recommend a great book by author Caleb Carr called Killing Time. It's in the realm of "social" science fiction, but deals with the "Information Age". Very insightful.

 

I guess this would be a small example of what this could be like:

Example from Georgia with Wireless

 

Interesting article, Jediflyer.

Very curious.

 

I remember hearing about that awhile back. Indeed it is very interesting. And at least in the US access to all the knowledge you'll ever need is free. It's called a Library. They have these curious things made out of compressed dead trees with ink on them. Odd buggers I tell ya. Oh yeah and most libraries have internet access as well, but good lord I don't think a person has the right to look at porn in public places.

BTW anyone hear bout the $100 computer from Wal-Mart that's meant to only surf the web and nothing else. Interesting developement.

 

BTW anyone hear bout the $100 computer from Wal-Mart that's meant to only surf the web and nothing else. Interesting developement.

How boring! No games? No MS Word? No Encarta? No Adobe Photoshop?? Blech!!

 

BTW anyone hear bout the $100 computer from Wal-Mart that's meant to only surf the web and nothing else. Interesting developement.

A few points about this:

1) The computers are about $250 and up, not $100.

2) They do more than just surf the web. The big difference is that they run a version of Linux (either Lindows or Lycoris which can run some Windows software, or Mandrake, which comes with a large selection of software).

3) They come without monitors.

Good night. I'm going back to bed now.

Kimball Kinnison

 

Here's a listing of some places that have free wireless internet access


Also, I think the Internet should be more of a public resource like a library than a cable channel like HBO.

 

So should consumer electronics. But it's just not in the cards now is it?

 

Also, I think the Internet should be more of a public resource like a library than a cable channel like HBO.

The internet is free. It's just getting to it that costs.

And you can get to it without paying, it's just a bit harder. Library's have internet access on their computers (although waiting 5 days for a 30 minute slot is not my piece of pie). Workplaces often have internet access, and while you can't go surfing porn sites, you can access a lot of things. School have internet access for students. It's included in the tuition.

 

99% of the worlds inhabitants have never used the internet?

70% have never even used a phone?

Where are these statistics coming from? I hear them bandied around quite a bit, but the numbers seem to change constantly and the only source I can find is a quote from a telecomm exec some time back in which the statistics were made up on the fly.

Anyway, that bit of nitpicking being done, I agree with the sentiment that the world has bigger concerns than internet for everyone. China and other countries have trid to restrict internet access to keep the populace in line, but that's just a symptom of a much larger problem. Empowerment comes from education and clean living, not from a computer.