news.bbc.co.uk — Finland has become the first country to make broadband "legal right" for every citizen! The Finnish deal means that from July 1, ALL telecommunications companies will be obliged to provide ALL residents with broadband lines that can run at a minimum 1Mbps speed. Finland has also vowed to connect everyone to a 100Mbps connection by 2015!
Jul 1, 2010 View in Crawl 4
glassagateJul 1, 2010
I don't know if broadband itself would be, but internet access should be. It's just like reading,
speaking, etc.
chijim70Jul 1, 2010
Bravo Finland!!! Way to step out there and show the world how freedom is done!
ferretmanJul 2, 2010
Hmmmm....not sure I quite equate "Internet access" with "freedom"....
chijim70Jul 2, 2010
Really? Freedom of information and the ability to self educate about what is going on with your country so you can be a positive part of democracy isn't essential to a free society?
Then why educate our kids at all, or have public libraries? I know... lets only read government approved books!
Then there is the whole (I did it personally) ability to educate yourself enough to get a job thing. I'd slap that in the "freedom to become what you like" category.
Just my opinion but I think freedom of information is essential to freedom from tyranny.
ancientshoesJul 1, 2010
The freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to a speedy and fair trial...freedom to access the internet? I'm sorry, but this is just making a mockery of basic human rights, which many people in developing countries don't even have yet. And this is coming from a network engineer.
royback1Jul 1, 2010
Do you feel the same about your right to have a home address and receive mail? You're not mocking your less fortunate brethren in developing countries by having this right?
The idea is to change the the law so that the internet connection would be a part of our basic communication services (adding to postal services, phone lines and special arrangements for the elderly and disabled). To see this law change as an addition to basic human rights, such as freedom of speech, doesn't make much sense.Comment is buried, click here to see the rest.
mypovertyJul 2, 2010
I think it was made a right to ensure that everyone is on a level playing field, much like everyone has the right to have access to education and clean water. If you don't have access to these, you risk falling behind others as many poor countries, that don't have access to these, can attest to.
Not everyone may like it, but it is undeniable that economic success in the developed world now requires knowledge and access to the internet. Of course there are exceptions, but I'm speaking generally. The integration of the internet with our lives is only going to increase further, possibly making wider accessibility even necessary for those who may not require it right now.
I commend Finland for this approach. I think it shows foresight and contributes to giving all of their citizens an equal opportunity to meet their potential.
bmayotteJul 1, 2010
This is incredible, Finland is pretty sparse in the northern areas too. If they can do it it shows that all developed countries should start on the same path and get more people connected.
naykatiolyuJul 2, 2010
Me too i want to move to Finland
markglJul 2, 2010
I want the right to a big tv and a car, oh a house, food, clean air, 2 ply toilet paper, not the chinsy tp that rips. free computer, etc
ryanveJul 3, 2010
This is awesome!