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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:
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.

Ginmonkeyagain · 02/12/2024 17:58

There is a difference between having the right to access something and the right to have it free at the point of use.

TimeFlysWhenYoureHavingRum · 02/12/2024 17:58

This was proposed in Labours 2019 manifesto. They were going to nationalise broadband provision and roll out fast fibre across the country, free at the point of use. People voted for Boris Johnson instead.

Beautifulbouquet · 02/12/2024 17:55

The lack of logic from OP here is severe!

OP are you saying that all things needed for a convenient life should be free for all humans in the world? Presumably including the devices needed to access the Internet too?

Or do you think people should pay for food and water and heating and houses but just have the Internet for free?

Puzzledandpissedoff · 02/12/2024 17:51

I agree it's become an essential serice, but as PPs have said so are utilities/energy and we expect to pay for those

As for "Birmingham University's report says ...", it's the kind of ideology I'd expect from those involved in academia. A fond idea no doubt, but not really one which intersects with the real world

Edited to add the Birmingham Uni's piece: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/news/2023/internet-access-must-become-human-right-or-we-risk-ever-widening-inequality

MissRoseDurward · 02/12/2024 17:46

I know what you mean but as long as libraries and hubs offer free internet access so that people can apply for benefits, I think it’s ok as it is.

some town centres and shopping centres have WiFi available.
some public transport - buses and trains and major railway stations
some shops - M&S and Waterstones are two that I know of.
many pubs, cafes and restaurants.

anyone who lives in a town and has a suitable device should be able to access wifi without paying for it. But it's not free - someone somewhere is paying.

ErrolTheDragon · 02/12/2024 17:45

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

Can't people read

Someone has written about free Internet being a human right. Will see if I can find the link.

Yes, I can read but we didn't know what you wanted us to be reading.Confused
First you've mentioned about a uni article and you haven't posted the link yet.

'Someone has written about it being a human right' isn't a very compelling argument.

TheLimeHedgehog · 02/12/2024 17:37

@PassingStranger Infrastructure and all the interconnectivity of various data centers that provide connectivity don't come free.

A bit more knowledge is needed from you OP

TaxDirector · 02/12/2024 17:32

Before i get to internet being free I'd start with

  • water
  • food
  • housing
  • heating

Etc etc.

You can probably use internet for free at your local library.

Mademetoxic · 02/12/2024 17:31

PassingStranger · 02/12/2024 17:20

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

Can't people read.💤

Show quote history

Life should be free!

YimYum · 02/12/2024 17:30

Hahahaha.

bridgetreilly · 02/12/2024 17:25

PassingStranger · 02/12/2024 17:20

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

Can't people read.💤

Show quote history

Human rights are not all free, though. It’s a human right to have access to food, water, shelter etc. It still doesn’t mean they are free, it just means that they are not forbidden.

Original poster
PassingStranger · 02/12/2024 17:20

magnoliasweets · 02/12/2024 17:16

There are people in the world without clean running water and you think the internet is a human right 🤣🤣🤣🤯🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️.

Please adjust your priorities.

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

Can't people read.💤

OP posts:
HPandthelastwish · 02/12/2024 17:18

Access to information to allow for informed decisions perhaps. And Elon Musk has - possibly his only good act made that possible in remote areas of the world with Starlink allowing doctors etc access to what they need to help their patients or for those in disaster areas with limited remaining infrastructure to get access to what they need.

But we have free access to information and the internet via libraries and long may that continue - but no, internet at home shouldn't be free.

magnoliasweets · 02/12/2024 17:16

There are people in the world without clean running water and you think the internet is a human right 🤣🤣🤣🤯🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️.

Please adjust your priorities.

TheDandyLion · 02/12/2024 17:10

Food, water, shelter, heat, sewerage. Nope, internet is the priority. Hmm

Original poster
PassingStranger · 02/12/2024 17:08

Someone has written about free Internet being a human right. Will see if I can find the link.

OP posts:
MartinCrieffsLemon · 02/12/2024 17:00

I think shops etc which expect you to use their apps over a physical card should have free access

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. 🤷‍♀️

Ginmonkeyagain · 02/12/2024 16:58

The internet generally is free, you have to pay for either mobile data or a broadband connection to access it. You also need to buy a device that enables you to browse it.

MaggieFS · 02/12/2024 16:56

I think it's fair to say it's an essential utility now rather than a luxury, but that doesn't mean it should be free.

How do you think all of the infrastructure should be paid for?

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?

HPandthelastwish · 02/12/2024 16:54

With the exception of air - and the quality of that can be suspect nothing is free so why on earth would internet be.

I'd rather san pro was free before the internet.

JingleB · 02/12/2024 16:54

Welcome to capitalism, OP. Is this your first visit?

IKnowAristotle · 02/12/2024 16:53

Whammyammy · 02/12/2024 16:51

Did Jeremy Corbyn offer free Internet?

Yes, it was branded broadband communism.