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Finland to make broadband a legal right
Author: Gareth HalfacreePublished: 15th October 2009
The Finnish government has enshrined the right to broadband access in law - and pledges 100Mb/s for all by 2015.
If that wasn't enough - and let's face it, 1Mb/s is pretty small potatoes these days - the Finnish government has pledged to work toward giving every single home access to a 100Mb/s connection by 2015.
As reported over on Gizmodo, the move is designed to ensure that Finnish citizens don't fall victim to the so-called "digital divide," where well-off citizens have access to all the benefits of the Internet while poorer residents are cut off from the Web and all the opportunity it offers.
While Finland was beaten to the punch by Switzerland, which has already made a similar move to enshrine a legal right to broadband Internet access by ensuring that all citizens would have access to a minimum of 600Kb/s downstream and 100Kb/s upstream by 2008, it's a smart move by the government - and puts the country miles ahead of most European countries, including the UK.
In this country, although broadband isn't yet a right by law, the government is looking to introduce a 50p per month 'phone tax on landline connections which would go to fund further development of the countries broadband infrastructure - bringing faster internet connections to smaller rural areas which would be uneconomical for the providers themselves to develop. Despite this, the project only goes to make broadband available across the country - not to actually provide broadband to UK citizens, who will still have to actually sign up and pay for a connection from a commercial entity if they want to get connected.
Do you believe that the Finnish government's move puts it at the head of developed countries when it comes to understanding how important the Internet is in modern living, or is it daft to call broadband connections a legal right? Share your thoughts over in the forums.
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I want to live in Finland :(
"No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law."
Just move here :D
Another reason why i love this country.
24mb/s connections are pretty much the standard nowadays but thats only if you live in the bigger cities. Dunno how the wanne accomplish that out in the woods (90% of Finland).
most of the country is on fireoptic
and i think speeds of 100mb/s
Is it easy to move there? I'm talking legally and all :p
That's where I'll be moving to as soon as I can. Tho legally, its extremely difficult.
You still have to pay in full for the connection, its just saying everyone should have it available.
Obama has called for a chunk of the stimulus money to be spent on moving broadband to rural areas where there aren't enough customers for the cable companies to do it by their own choice. It would be similar to the rural electrification administration where the governess made electrical connections available to rural areas. Its a great idea in my book, as the internet is becoming more and more important each day.
In Finnish media, Finland is generally considered to be behind other EU-countries in IT matters.
Moro.
There are also the civilizational human rights that pertain to right to a trial, legal representation, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, equality for all under the law, right to assembly and redress of grievances.
Yours in Rights Plasma,
Star*Dagger
Make sure that you read the fine print and ask them specifically in writing (and get the response in writing) as regards to throttling.
If you have a choice go with another company, if not explain to them that what they are doing is illegal or at very least unethical.
iternet, food, clothing, shelter, education (unless it is self education) and medical care are all things ther require effort on the part of someone else (unless you do it yourself). for that reason they cannot be a basic human right. if they are then you are saying it is a basic human right to exploit another human to provide for your needs (or not, internet is not a survival issue). you shold always have a right to have opportunity get yourt own, but you should never have the right to forcefuly take it. sucess in the matter is up to the individual.
things like free speach, freedom of vocation, freedom to defend oneself, freedom to participate in government (right to assembly), equity under the law, and the freedom to pursue (not be given, mind you) happyness are all thing that are basic rights, and do not require the labors of others.
now there are things that need to be given for the common good, like provinding a fair legal system, provide for the common defence, and provide a fair and competative market place, but all of those require verry little be given from each individual, and benifit all. what is mostly needed is just enough to maintain a simple set of laws and a well stocked military. say about 7 to 10% GDP for the lot. when you satrt getting into providing shelter, food, medical care, internet etc. you get into the 40-60% + GDP. that and the fact that you take away any motivaation to work. if i have food, shelter and internet, what motivation do i have to work? that is all my basic needs + entertainment. scratch one productive memeber of society right there.
Also who needs freedom or liberty when you can have things given to you for FREE! I mean the people in the USSR and in Italy and Germany 70 years ago were way better off.
time to move.
If you are a EU member its pretty easy as you have the right to work in any EU country of your choice. If you are not a EU member than its lil harder as you only get a residents permit if you have a job. Or you ask for asylum.
I know a lot of foreigners who moved here for various reasons and most of them sad its pretty hassle free. On the other hand learning finnish is horrible as its a REALLY hard language.
But in basic live you can get by pretty good with english only
Or just privatise the telecoms market here... that'd work as well.
1Meg.... /dream...
Couple of quick thoughts though:
Does this mean access to the whole internet (i.e: if you have basic right to the internet then it is illegal for them to restrict sites?)
What about people who are in prison for computer crimes?
sorry for rambling
I don't think this will stop them from restricting access for anyone breaking the law. Once you break the law, they can take you freedoms away. (ie. prison) They will still end your connection if you hack credit card data, infringe copyright, etc. As far as this stopping them from restricting access to certain sites, do they do that anyway? I havn't heard of anyone besides China and other more extreme governments blocking access to parts of the web, and the individual websites are protected under free speech for the most part. More perfection from the government never hurt though.(that's protecting us from the government, not them providing protection for us)
And I don't agree with that Digital Divide thing, I mean, we're pretty well off, but as we live in a little village, the internet is pretty crap, 2MB is the fastest we can get.
Can't see the UK gov doing this, I mean they'd have to spend money to do this, so completey out of the question. They'd probably do it if they made anyone who wanted it pay a huge monthly fee, :D, oh wait.
Sounds sweet.
I love Finland.
Um, wouldn't she be 12 if she was a high school freshman? :|
I remember she lived in the same complex we did.. even went over her place once with my friends to see some artwork =] she used to wear these skimpy almost see through outfits to school.. everyone used to gawk
there was a family from england in our complex too- nice people
However I must apologise, I'd assumed that American high school started and ended at the same time that English secondary school + 6th form would. Research suggests different :)
I just remember thinking back then- man finland must be awesome rofl could see in my teenage eyes a sea of chicks walking around with see through underwear :D
Yep, I suppose they'd need to buy everyone a computer too....
While we're on the topic, BT = Fail, they've upgraded the entire network, except the bit that goes from the exchange to your house, ****ers.