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Original poster

To think access to the Internet should be free?

85 replies

PassingStranger · 02/12/2024 16:43

Why do we have to pay something that we all need to use now.
Should Internet be free?

Does anyone remember in it's infancy you paid a subscription and for dealing up too. It might have been so much a minute?

It's such a big part of our life now. Even benefits have to be claimed online?

OP posts:
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marcopront · 03/12/2024 04:00

Isn't the article referring to the fact that 1/3 of the global population doesn't have internet access rather than Joe Bloggs in England shouldn't pay for his broadband?

www.statista.com/statistics/617136/digital-population-worldwide/#:~:text=As%20of%20October%202024%2C%20there,population%2C%20were%20social%20media%20users.

XenoBitch · 02/12/2024 23:04

CandidClarisse · 02/12/2024 22:52

I believe the article is referring to ability to access WiFi such as in shopping centres, community centres, libraries etc not have it installed in everyone's home for free!

McDonald's has free internet doesn't it? You might need to buy a burger or coffee though!

Or go to Wetherspoons and get a tea/coffee (unlimited refills) and stay for hours enjoying their free Wifi.

CandidClarisse · 02/12/2024 22:52

I believe the article is referring to ability to access WiFi such as in shopping centres, community centres, libraries etc not have it installed in everyone's home for free!

McDonald's has free internet doesn't it? You might need to buy a burger or coffee though!

Thelnebriati · 02/12/2024 21:21

Here's the link to the paper;
https://pure-oai.bham.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/75399968/The_Human_Right_to_Free_Internet_Access_final_.pdf

In the past when people spoke of freedom to access the internet, they meant freedom of speech. Its the job of politicians to uphold freedom and human rights. In this day and age its very telling that they are things we still have to fight for.

Microsoft Word - The_Human_Right_to_Free_Internet_Access_final_

https://pure-oai.bham.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/75399968/The_Human_Right_to_Free_Internet_Access_final_.pdf

titchy · 02/12/2024 21:18

Please read my post properly. There's an article by Birmingham University to make the Internet a human right

I read your post properly. You didn't mention, let alone post a link, to an article by UoB.

What do you think about the points posters have made about how water, food, electricity and shelter have to be paid for?

XenoBitch · 02/12/2024 21:14

YABU
Lots of things are essential, such as food and water... and they are not free.

BadPeopleFan · 02/12/2024 21:13

Housing
Food/water
Gas/electricity
Medical attention if needed
Prescriptions
Dental treatment
Sanitary products
Baby formula
Childcare
School trips
Diesel/petrol
Train travel
Bus fares
Are all things that I would prefer to be 'free' rather than the Internet/WiFi. If taxpayer's money was to be used (and lets face it that's what free means!) I think their are things far higher up the list than £20 per months worth of Internet use.

TarantinoIsAMisogynist · 02/12/2024 21:12

It's a laudable idea, but we have to pay for lots of life's essentials.

We all need food and water (more than internet access even!) but we still have to pay for them.

MissRoseDurward · 02/12/2024 21:09

As for funding, taxes.

So not free, then. In fact, an added layer of bureaucracy to add to the cost.

HooMoo · 02/12/2024 21:06

PeloMom · 02/12/2024 16:44

We all need water, electricity etc too and have to pay for those. How’s internet different?

This. We also need housing should they be free to!?

PaperRecycledCrafter · 02/12/2024 21:05

Just browsing

Ryoko portable mobile WiFi gadget
It is not free
You have to pay to top it up
It connects to nearest tower

Or

Starlink
How much does that cost to use per month ?

Ginmonkeyagain · 02/12/2024 21:04

Also I assume when people say internet they actually mean broadband or mobile data.

It's not really withon the gift of the UK government to make "the internet" free.

CandidClarisse · 02/12/2024 21:02

Tumbler2121 · 02/12/2024 17:59

I do think that basic internet should be part of what we get from the BBC, we have little choice but to pay for it, however anyone without internet is missing out on Iplayer, which is pretty useful.

BBC haven't offered internet connections for years now. I think they stopped in 2009.

At the end of the day, high speed internet and infrastructure is very expensive to setup and maintain, not only data centres but the street furniture, home equipment. It would all need paying for somehow.

Ginmonkeyagain · 02/12/2024 21:01

What are our taxes paying for here - the laying of the infrastructure, running and maintaining it or the devices people need to access the internet?

You would also end up cross subsidising a lot of well off, mainly urban people. I am in London and have access to FTTP - I pay £21 per month for 150 mbit/s. It is one of my smallest monthly bills.

Allfur · 02/12/2024 20:53

Bloom15 · 02/12/2024 20:40

YABU

I would rather all the world has access to clean, drinkable water before free internet for the people that use it

Both would be pretty good

Bloom15 · 02/12/2024 20:40

YABU

I would rather all the world has access to clean, drinkable water before free internet for the people that use it

Gemmy96 · 02/12/2024 20:36

It should be free at the point of use, as should the most basic version of everything necessary for life. As for funding, taxes.

Gemmy96 · 02/12/2024 20:35

ErrolTheDragon · 02/12/2024 16:55

It's not free because it costs money. Who do you think should pay for the national and international infrastructure?

Taxes.

ChewieChewieChewie · 02/12/2024 20:34

Boomer55 · 02/12/2024 17:00

I remember when the internet was free (Freeserve ?) but they soon started charging when it became popular.

No reason it should be free - plenty of people manage without it. 🤷‍♀️

Yes, I remember this. It's been getting more and more expensive ever since 🤣

PaperRecycledCrafter · 02/12/2024 20:32

I know some people who do not use the internet. They still manage to funtion in society.
No internet
No mobile phone

BodyKeepingScore · 02/12/2024 20:29

And who funds this "free" internet then? Funds the infrastructure to run it, maintains it, provides routers and equipment for each household? Where would that money come from?

PencilsInSpace · 02/12/2024 20:12

coffeesaveslives · 02/12/2024 19:49

Doesn't that already exist? It certainly does around here.

Show quote history

Yes, pretty much.

TheBigCheeeeese · 02/12/2024 20:10

Free region no. go to the library if its such a essential

Floralnomad · 02/12/2024 20:09

Having a place to live is a human right but you still pay for housing . You can get the internet very cheaply , it’s a ridiculous idea .

SisyphusDad · 02/12/2024 20:07

Free = Paid for by someone else

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