When do you think the US will have free high speed Internet access?
October 4th, 2009 | by admin |I read that because so many other countries telephone service was so far behind the US for years, cell phones were more numerous overseas than in the US. It is easier and cheaper to put up a cell tower than to run countless miles of telephone lines. Is that why we aren’t getting inexpensive high speed internet access in the US as fast as "less developed" countries? I live in the "boonies" and the only way I can get high speed Internet access is with a satellite which is expensive to hook up and incurs expensive monthly charges.
Several issues here:
You are correct that those countries that did not have phone/cable wires installed are able to skip a step and go straight to towers etc.
Also, high speed internet is becoming free in certain areas — new york has been working on plans to make Manhattan a free wi-fi zone, however, I doubt it will be free in the long-run as costs increase.
As to the cost of high-speed in your area, consider that the cost is not just laying cable but also putting a node in your area. The farther you are away from the central point the worse the data speed so you normally have to be within a few miles (maybe 1.5 miles). Outside this boosters are needed to support the higher speed. You could consider paying the higher price and installing a system yourself, but I think it would be more than what you pay now.
SO…when is high speed going to be free …. never. When will it get to your area? Either when it is a) economically feasible or b) when a fund (like the telephone companie USF) is created that taxes people in high density areas to help subsidize your costs.
Only other choice is to move to a city.
4 Responses to “When do you think the US will have free high speed Internet access?”
By caughtin2minds on Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
free high speed is pretty far away. US currently has bad cellular phone coverage in comparison to China, Russia or India. There is still a major populated expanse to be covered by the major cell phone companies. Add to that the maintenance of lines.
The traditional phone lines are still expensive with the most basic features. A decade at least would be my guestimate.
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By retired_dragon on Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
When we are taxed for it, and supposedly "pay" nothing.
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By mizzgreeneyez on Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
Probably will never be free. How do you think that Comcast and SBC make their profit? Sure isn’t with phone service.
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By Wallstreeter on Oct 4, 2009 | Reply
Several issues here:
You are correct that those countries that did not have phone/cable wires installed are able to skip a step and go straight to towers etc.
Also, high speed internet is becoming free in certain areas — new york has been working on plans to make Manhattan a free wi-fi zone, however, I doubt it will be free in the long-run as costs increase.
As to the cost of high-speed in your area, consider that the cost is not just laying cable but also putting a node in your area. The farther you are away from the central point the worse the data speed so you normally have to be within a few miles (maybe 1.5 miles). Outside this boosters are needed to support the higher speed. You could consider paying the higher price and installing a system yourself, but I think it would be more than what you pay now.
SO…when is high speed going to be free …. never. When will it get to your area? Either when it is a) economically feasible or b) when a fund (like the telephone companie USF) is created that taxes people in high density areas to help subsidize your costs.
Only other choice is to move to a city.
References :