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>I think it makes sense, since broadband internet is relatively expensive compared to other utilities that are more necessary. An internet connection isn't reg

>I think it makes sense, since broadband internet is relatively expensive compared to other utilities that are more necessary. An internet connection isn't regulated as a utility. As far as the law is concerned, the internet is a luxury item so access/quality/cost is set by the market. Telephone companies (or I should say, company: Bell) operated in much the same way 100 years ago until state utility commissions started to regulate them as utilities and cap the price they could charge for local calls. Since the state had no jurisdiction over long-distance charges, those prices skyrocketed to make up the difference. In the 80's the DOJ finally wrapped up the antitrust case against "Ma Bell" that broke the company into several smaller phone service providers. With a lot of competing operators the prices were reasonable. More importantly, while telephone service was regulated as a utility the state utility commissions had largely required Bell to wire rural areas for service the same as they had wired cities.

craftyguy 8y ago
Just because one government chooses to not regulate it as a utility does not mean it is not a utility. It can be argued that internet access is more of a utility today than it was in the past, and is likely to become increasingly more crucial for folks to have. Many local, state, and national communications are over the internet, more and more jobs require it to some degree (and having internet helps find new jobs more than not having it). donald's 'official' communication mechanism is twitter, which requires internet access. > The term utilities can also refer to the set of services provided by these organizations consumed by the public: Coal, electricity, natural gas, water, sewage, telephone, and transportation. Broadband internet services (both fixed-line and mobile) are increasingly being included within the definition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_utility https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_utility
- elliekelly 8y ago
  I wasn't arguing with you. To the contrary - I agree. In 2018 the internet is just as necessary as electricity. I was merely pointing out why it's the most expensive of the "utilities" you listed.

craftyguy 8y ago

Just because one government chooses to not regulate it as a utility does not mean it is not a utility. It can be argued that internet access is more of a utility today than it was in the past, and is likely to become increasingly more crucial for folks to have. Many local, state, and national communications are over the internet, more and more jobs require it to some degree (and having internet helps find new jobs more than not having it). donald's 'official' communication mechanism is twitter, which requires internet access. > The term utilities can also refer to the set of services provided by these organizations consumed by the public: Coal, electricity, natural gas, water, sewage, telephone, and transportation. Broadband internet services (both fixed-line and mobile) are increasingly being included within the definition https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_utility https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_utility

elliekelly 8y ago
I wasn't arguing with you. To the contrary - I agree. In 2018 the internet is just as necessary as electricity. I was merely pointing out why it's the most expensive of the "utilities" you listed.