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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you’d find it difficult without home internet/Broadband?

82 replies

June16th · 08/09/2024 10:58

I’ve not got home internet. Just Smartphone with VERY limited data. I’m just curious for people’s opinions on this

OP posts:
Original poster
June16th · 08/09/2024 15:11

Imperfectionist · 08/09/2024 15:07

I need it as much as I need energy and water supplies. It’s essential to life - ie our livelihoods and ability to earn, learn and connect.

I do see internet access as a basic utility. Even more so in developing countries.

I also wish it was still 1985 and pre tech in many ways OP! I can see why the Mormons etc make their own societies based continuing to live the way their ancestors did a hundred years ago. I wonder if people will try and do similar to escape the digital age.

I agree with you - I mean job applications are basically ALL online now aren’t they ?

However, out of interest, why is it more important in developing countries ? Is it because they lack public libraries etc there ?

OP posts:
spikeandbuffy24 · 08/09/2024 15:08

I WFH full time so couldn't be without it

Original poster
June16th · 08/09/2024 15:08

rainbowunicorn · 08/09/2024 15:04

Is there a particular reason why you don't have home Internet? Is it through choice or is it cost? Most companies do a social tariffs for low income households but may be dependent on certain benefits.

Yes. I got rid of it in 2018 for cost reasons - but I’ve spent just as much if not more over the years in getting data top ups for my mobile

OP posts:
Imperfectionist · 08/09/2024 15:07

I need it as much as I need energy and water supplies. It’s essential to life - ie our livelihoods and ability to earn, learn and connect.

I do see internet access as a basic utility. Even more so in developing countries.

I also wish it was still 1985 and pre tech in many ways OP! I can see why the Mormons etc make their own societies based continuing to live the way their ancestors did a hundred years ago. I wonder if people will try and do similar to escape the digital age.

Original poster
June16th · 08/09/2024 15:06

ThatsNotMyTeen · 08/09/2024 15:04

Of course we are 😂

Sorry if I missed it, do you have kids? I have teenagers and they would like, LITERALLY DIE with no broadband 😖😂

Show quote history

No kids under 18 living at home, no

OP posts:
rainbowunicorn · 08/09/2024 15:04

Is there a particular reason why you don't have home Internet? Is it through choice or is it cost? Most companies do a social tariffs for low income households but may be dependent on certain benefits.

ThatsNotMyTeen · 08/09/2024 15:04

June16th · 08/09/2024 15:02

Yes you’re probably right.

By the way us 1972/73 babies are the best 😆💪

Show quote history

Of course we are 😂

Sorry if I missed it, do you have kids? I have teenagers and they would like, LITERALLY DIE with no broadband 😖😂

Original poster
June16th · 08/09/2024 15:02

ThatsNotMyTeen · 08/09/2024 14:59

Blimey. The way you live your life in terms of Internet access or lack of it is like someone more of 91 than 51. I’m 51 too. My parents are late 70s and use the internet for most things too.

Yes you’re probably right.

By the way us 1972/73 babies are the best 😆💪

OP posts:
ThatsNotMyTeen · 08/09/2024 14:59

Blimey. The way you live your life in terms of Internet access or lack of it is like someone more of 91 than 51. I’m 51 too. My parents are late 70s and use the internet for most things too.

Original poster
June16th · 08/09/2024 14:58

Doingtheboxerbeat · 08/09/2024 14:52

I too couldn't live without it but my mum does and she uses a dummy phone 😱.
I only live up the road from her if there are companies that insist you access their services online .
It's just as well, because I reckon she would be on the gambling sites , up to her ponytail in debt.

I admire your Mum tbh for coping without it - I struggle sometimes as I can’t download apps in my phone age I need to go to libraries just to send/check emails ! Or places with public WiFi!

OP posts:
Courgettelady · 08/09/2024 14:57

I work from home full time and I haven't had broadband/WiFi for the last three years. I live alone. I do tons of zoom calls and spend most of my time online tbh. I am on a 100GB per month contract costing £12. Until very recently this has been enough, but now I seem to be going above for that for some strange reason.

Petra2000 · 08/09/2024 14:57

I can't even bear holidays where the internet signal is going to be weak and I don't work it's just to use MN and check local weather😂

beetr00 · 08/09/2024 14:56

if it suits you @June16th fair enough.

I'd rather pay for broadband than the license fee tbh

Petra2000 · 08/09/2024 14:56

Thinking about my comment about the rich, obviously if you're so rich you have staff and security at home but 'average rich' or just average, security camera, Ring etc all need internet. So it can be a safety issue these days to not have home wifi.

Original poster
June16th · 08/09/2024 14:56

ThatsNotMyTeen · 08/09/2024 14:55

Tbh I think Internet access is basically a utility now, obviously not as important as energy/water, but not that much behind.

I agree - it’s made things slightly inconvenient at my gym because it’s App only entry which I can’t download!

OP posts:
Floralnomad · 08/09/2024 14:55

Actually I forgot but we have Sky stream as well so we need it for that .

ThatsNotMyTeen · 08/09/2024 14:55

Tbh I think Internet access is basically a utility now, obviously not as important as energy/water, but not that much behind.

Petra2000 · 08/09/2024 14:53

I went through this when I switched internet providers during lockdown and the engineer dates were messed up so we ended up without internet for 2 months.

We struggled hugely because much of our lives and activities revolved around the internet. We had stopped buying physical games, music, movies it was all online and what we had at home seemed so dated and dull in comparison to the amazing offers online.

We hadn't invested in our 'offline' life and what we liked doing involved going out which we couldn't do during Lockdown. Back garden was a horrible, noisy dusty place with neighbours' huge building project going ahead in lockdown and local parks full of people.

Lockdown definitely didn't help as I would have just gone to the local library or a cafe with internet.

I think if you're rich, you can afford to have a library of books and films, home gym, swimming pool, arts room or whatever activities to entertain the kids so going without internet is probably less daunty than someone in a small accommodation maybe without family nearby and limited space for physical things and hobbies.

ThatsNotMyTeen · 08/09/2024 14:53

I need it for work.

Floralnomad · 08/09/2024 14:52

We have fast fibre , my husband wfh full time and is online 90% of his working day . Myself and my daughter also use it a lot so wouldn’t be without it .

Doingtheboxerbeat · 08/09/2024 14:52

I too couldn't live without it but my mum does and she uses a dummy phone 😱.
I only live up the road from her if there are companies that insist you access their services online .
It's just as well, because I reckon she would be on the gambling sites , up to her ponytail in debt.

QuiteAnEpicFailure · 08/09/2024 14:50

I had no internet for 3 months last year due to issues changing to a new provider and it was definitely a struggle for the kids having no smart tv/Netflix just patchy freeview through the arial. I didn’t struggle too much as I didn’t wfh and had any smartphone but the kids would have to hotspot off my phone to do their homework which caused a lot of problems!

Dweetfidilove · 08/09/2024 14:47

Presently, yes. I spent Covid working on mobile hotspot, but where I am now, I need WiFi to even use my mobile indoors.
Phone signal is shit.

Ponderingwindow · 08/09/2024 14:47

DH and I have both wfh for many years. We would lose our jobs.

Our television is internet based. It is difficult to get access any other way where we live.

aside from those things, no, we would not be happy with extremely limited internet access. I rely on online shopping to accommodate my disability. I also just enjoy the convenience.

Original poster
June16th · 08/09/2024 14:45

rainbowunicorn · 08/09/2024 14:29

I think apart from the gaming you not having done any if these things makes you very unusual for someone of 51.

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To be honest - I’ve used YouTube a lot and used BBC iPlayer and it’s ITV and Channel 5 equivalents - but I haven’t streamed any TV for at least a year - but I have YouTubed a lot of TV - so that counts as streaming

OP posts:
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