Finland Makes Broadband Access a Legal Right - GoFuckYourself.com

Barefootsies · 07-01-2010, 02:54 PM

Interesting to see more countries considering this. Which allows then to put social, and government services online, and then provides access for everyone. Supposedly cost cutting government.

Or at least that's the plan according to some of the stories coming out this week.

Quote:

(CNN) -- Finland has become the first country in the world to make broadband internet access a legal right for all citizens.

The legislation, which came into effect Thursday, forces telecom operators to provide a reasonably priced broadband connection with a downstream rate of at least one megabit per second (mbs) to every permanent residence and office, the Finnish government said in a statement.

"From now on a reasonably priced broadband connection will be everyone's basic right in Finland," said Finnish communications minister Suvi Linden. "This is absolutely one of the government's most significant achievements in regional policy and I am proud of it.

"I hope that people will make use of the opportunity and turn to telecom operators in the area they live."

The "universal service obligation" as it is known means broadband access is considered a staple commodity alongside services such as telephone and postal services, according to the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA).

FICORA said it had assigned 26 telecommunications companies as universal service providers across the nation. It said a monthly fee of Euros 30 to 40 (around $37 to $47) would be reasonable in most cases.

Finland is one of the world's most wired nations, and numbers corporations such as telecommunications giant Nokia among its successes.

Laura Vilkkonen, legislative counselor for the Ministry of Transport and Communications, told CNN in October 2009 that 95 percent of the population has some form of internet access.

Statistics released by the OECD (Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development) for December 2009 put broadband penetration in Finland at 26.7 percent, compared to 26.4 per cent for the United States. The Netherlands and Denmark ranked equal first at 37.1 percent each.

A report issued by the European Union in November last year stated that 24 percent of the EU population had a broadband access line subscription in July 2009.

It added that 80 per cent of broadband lines in the EU had download speeds of two mbs or greater.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/web/07/....html?hpt=Sbin

milambur · 07-01-2010, 03:02 PM

With the 3G networks it is getting easier to cover the rural areas with broadband so I think most EU countries would be able to make it a basic right fairly easy.

Deej · 07-01-2010, 03:07 PM

So its free to them then?

TheSenator · 07-01-2010, 03:09 PM

Pfffff.....

Jarmusch · 07-01-2010, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deej

So its free to them then?

No, it's 'reasonably priced'.

Deej · 07-01-2010, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jarmusch

No, it's 'reasonably priced'.

sooooo... in other words... they cant ban a person from having this venue of access?

cardinalvices · 07-01-2010, 03:32 PM

This was implemented in Estonia back in 1992. Congratz to northern neighbours

The system includes e-government, where all the paperwork can be done online. For example, you can see your entire health history including doctors comments. You can setup a company online in 3 hours. You can submit your taxes online. You can sign documents digitally and they are going to become legal.

As for the benefits? Hell, forget a bunch of bills and piles of paperwork. Everything is digital.

Marcus Aurelius · 07-01-2010, 03:33 PM

we need free torrents for everyone

Barefootsies · 07-01-2010, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milambur

With the 3G networks it is getting easier to cover the rural areas with broadband so I think most EU countries would be able to make it a basic right fairly easy.

Well, I know in the U.S. this past week there was some debate on this issue in regards to the U.S.. I do not know so much as a 'right' but looking at expansion into the rural areas. Something that Clinton was working on, and paid for, back in the 90's..

Telco fights them every time claiming that 98% can get it via wireless and dial up, but that is complete bullshit. Many telco's claim coverage that is shitty at best, and a lot of it not even usable.

It would be nice to see use get to Japan or some of the other countries speed and infrastructure. Kinda sad seeing the U.S. falling to the middle and end of the pack compared to the rest of the world in internet, education, health care, and so on.

dav3 · 07-01-2010, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barefootsies

It would be nice to see use get to Japan or some of the other countries speed and infrastructure. Kinda sad seeing the U.S. falling to the middle and end of the pack compared to the rest of the world in internet, education, health care, and so on.

but at least we have awesome things to kill people with

Coup · 07-01-2010, 07:12 PM

fucking socialism

signupdamnit · 07-01-2010, 09:11 PM

It makes a lot of sense. Likely in more ways than many consider. For example kids growing up with access to this level of technology will naturally lead to more development in related fields as they age. They will benefit (from the perspective of becoming familiar with such technologies) from the introduction at a younger age. As their nation ages more of their people will likely be more technically inclined than they otherwise would. There are many potential benefits.

07-01-2010, 03:02 PM	#2
milambur Mainstream since 2010 Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,327	With the 3G networks it is getting easier to cover the rural areas with broadband so I think most EU countries would be able to make it a basic right fairly easy. __________________ Alea iacta est

07-01-2010, 03:07 PM	#3
Deej I make pixels work Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: I live here... Posts: 24,386	So its free to them then? __________________ Deej's Designs n' What Not Hit me up for Design, CSS & Photo Retouching Icq#30096880

07-01-2010, 03:09 PM	#4
TheSenator Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NJ Posts: 13,335	Pfffff..... __________________ ISeekGirls.com since 2005

07-01-2010, 03:32 PM	#7
cardinalvices Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 2,084	This was implemented in Estonia back in 1992. Congratz to northern neighbours The system includes e-government, where all the paperwork can be done online. For example, you can see your entire health history including doctors comments. You can setup a company online in 3 hours. You can submit your taxes online. You can sign documents digitally and they are going to become legal. As for the benefits? Hell, forget a bunch of bills and piles of paperwork. Everything is digital. __________________ Cardinal Vices Studio - your one stop shop for webdesign! Paysites \| Consulting \| Tube sites \| TGPs \| Galleries/Banner ads \| Flash peel ads Start your own cam site - Get Live Cam Site Solution Last edited by cardinalvices; 07-01-2010 at 03:37 PM..

07-01-2010, 03:33 PM	#8
Marcus Aurelius No Refunds Issued. Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 14,809	we need free torrents for everyone

07-01-2010, 07:12 PM	#11
Coup 🚨 PBBC International 🚨 Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: /👁\ Posts: 9,931	fucking socialism

07-01-2010, 09:11 PM	#12
signupdamnit Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 6,697	It makes a lot of sense. Likely in more ways than many consider. For example kids growing up with access to this level of technology will naturally lead to more development in related fields as they age. They will benefit (from the perspective of becoming familiar with such technologies) from the introduction at a younger age. As their nation ages more of their people will likely be more technically inclined than they otherwise would. There are many potential benefits.