Internet Service
Most of us can’t imagine life without the internet. We use if for research, for communication and all sorts of information. For most areas, internet service comes with a fee dependent upon the type of service sought. What would happen if this service was free to all consumers? Do you think it would be good or bad for the economy?
According to an article in USA Today, New Orleans is instituting a free internet system to its residents. It will be a city wide program that anyone can use. The city government, in an attempt to spur economic growth, will run this program.
The article did not go into much detail on how advanced this system will be and what it will entail, but I don’t know how successful this will be. For one, everyone does not want the same type of internet service. Some are willing to pay more for a faster services and higher degrees of internet protection. Also, are government run programs really efficient? Who will decide when it is time to upgrade the system? What will the process be? Wouldn’t competition be a better means of providing the services people seek?
The idea of providing free internet to those that may not be able to afford it is fine, but is it efficient and will it spur economic growth? I don’t know.
5 comments:
I do not feel that this method is efficient at all. What are the cable, DSL, and phone companies who already provide paid service in these areas supposed to do? I feel that it would hurt more people associated with these companies than it would help those using the internet. The internet is not all that expensive. In fact, there are dial up services for as little as 1.99 a month nowadays. This is rather cheap, in my opinion, and the opinion probably of most Americans. Also, the internet is a luxury, there is no necessible value in it at all. Therefore, in my opinion, the government would be making a big mistake to provide free service for every household. Do they provide free cable TV? Nope.
I do not think that it would spur economic growth. Most towns have libraries that provide free internet access. I do not see how free internet access will improve the economy.
Yes, it would be nice to have free internet access, but it isn't a necessity. I also do not see how providing free internet services will jumpstart the economy. I would think that the government would want to provide services that are needed, such as free housing or food. Some people may not even have access to a computer unless they go to a library, where in most cases they would not have to pay anyway. A lot of people have lost their jobs, and quite frankly, I think they are more concerned with putting food on the table rather than being able to surf the internet for free.
I don't think its efficent. How can you afford the computer if you can't afford internet. If you can't pay the 10 to 20 dollars a month you shouldn't have a computer in the first place
I don't think this is a bad idea, but I don't think it will spur economic growth. New Orleans is a dying city that will probably never be the same again anyway, but aside from that it is good for the lower income people who would enjoy the internet, but don't take advantage of it because of the cost, even if it isn't a big one. I think peopl who can afford it tend to be picky. Just like anything else that you pay for, you want to choose the one that best fits you wants and needs. In all, I don't think it is a bad idea given it is free, but I don't see where it spurs economic growth.
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