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[–] smokeu 0 points 10 points (+10|-0) ago 

Didn't we already give them billions in tax breaks to do just that?

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[–] Traditional_Values 0 points 6 points (+6|-0) ago 

Meanwhile I'm paying out my ass for it. Where's my subsidy? Oh yea, I work for a living. Dem programs.

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[–] bozarkin 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Plus, despite paying it is throttled and data capped by the sole supplier Comcast to even extort more "upgrades". Maybe I should move to the projects.

[–] [deleted] 0 points 6 points (+6|-0) ago 

[Deleted]

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[–] l-emmerdeur 0 points 4 points (+4|-0) ago 

I would argue the cost to enter the market is prohibitively high. That, coupled with the fact that internet access is as vital as electricity or water means it should be offered as a public utility.

[–] [deleted] 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

[Deleted]

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[–] HereIAm 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

How is classify as utility and privatized mutually exclusive?

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[–] Vanwe 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

Exactly this. For an example of how this can be done, look at electricity in Texas. It's one of the things Texas got right. Easiest way to do this would be to regulate "pole access" in order to lower the barrier to entry, while leaving the actual businesses relatively unregulated.

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[–] Clash957 ago 

I think making in a utility is the best option. Despite what is increasingly become the public opinion that the US Government bungles everything, I don't believe that is the case. After all, the government is supposed to be of the people, for the people. It is hard to argue that one can reasonably function in this day and age without the use of the internet. I also think the United States could use a great public works project such as this so long as we can keep corruption and cronyism to a minimum.

[–] [deleted] 0 points 5 points (+5|-0) ago 

[Deleted]

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[–] asa3 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

I agree. No one likes dirty, clogged up pipes.

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[–] captainfarts ago  (edited ago)

They should literally fix the pipes too. Some places have terrible plumbing. Of course, I would hope that they wouldn't throw broadband at a building that's crumbling. What's that, Grammy? Your sink has been broken for 5 months? Don't worry. Now you can watch a YouTube clip on sink repair in stunning 1080p... on that old CRT your grandson left you when he went to college a decade ago!

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[–] alizure 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago  (edited ago)

While this is ok for those people, what about everyone else who's having to pay out the ass for shitty internet? Its not fair plain and simple. People living in rural areas get horrible internet speeds. For instance, some people living in rural areas get 1MB or less. The speed is inconsistent and those people cant change internet companies because there ARE NO other internet companies. I think the internet companies should be held accountable for this kinda stuff. Its either put up with shitty service, or do without internet. And in today's world the internet is vital for a lot of people.

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[–] Headygains ago 

I totally agree with this, I grew up in a rural area and until recently my mother still had HughesNet an terrible services but it was the only she could get beyond dial-up. She now has dsl and it barely hits 1MB on a good day.

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[–] alizure ago 

Yeah I know the feeling, That's what we get here, less than 1MB and calling the dsl company does NO good. So its either put up with shitty dsl service or have nothing at all.

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[–] lepricpolymath 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago 

This could be beneficial in poorer communities. As a person that grew up in a poor family in a poor neighborhood I'm of the belief that a decent Internet connection can be a major contribution to those that want to improve their lives. I also think that taking it a step further and teaching those individuals just how to find what they're looking for on the Internet would have even more effect.

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[–] HereIAm 0 points 1 point (+1|-0) ago 

And the middle class gets fucked in the ass again.

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[–] lepricpolymath 0 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago  (edited ago)

I'd disagree with that. I'm now what would be considered middle class and I wouldn't feel fucked in the ass because I did not receive for free what others did. I'm in a good position to pay for my Internet connection, and whilst I take a bit of umbrage with what Comcast charges for it, in the end it's a service I want and am willing to pay for.

I'd also say that this service should probably be heavily filtered. I support its use as a means of education, not entertainment.

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[–] Zaqwert ago 

So do you think they'll use it for education and jobs or for porn and selling stolen goods on craigslist? Hmmm yeah, I wonder which way this one will go.

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[–] NewYorkMos ago 

... administration's latest push to narrow the "digital divide" between the rich and poor ... translated ... narrow the divide between the tax paying workers vs non-workers. Also - broadband does no good without devices ... so that means we'll (i.e. those that work) need to open our wallets more to pay for the devices to use with the newly paid for broadband.

Broadband is neither a right nor a necessity of life.

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