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.