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The Internet as a Public Utility

Who should provide Internet services to people: national, state, or local governments; private companies regulated by government agencies; private companies who engage in direct competition provide Internet? Activities here consider whether making the Internet a public utility would provide more access and more resources to more people at fair or no costs.

In ancient Rome, the government provided public services such as roads, schools, waste management, and plumbing that its citizens needed and demanded. National, state, and local governments in the United States do the same today - providing a range of services from highways, electricity, city water, mail delivery, public schools, and more (50 Ways Government Works for Us). 

Many Americans are now debating whether the Internet should be freely provided to everyone by the government as a public utility rather than a private service.

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A public utility is a "company that supplies 'utilities' - such as natural gas, electricity, and telephone services - to consumers. It may be a private sector or state-owned business. In most cases, it is the only supplier" ("What is a Public Utility? Definition and Meaning," Market Business News, para. 4). The government's role is to ensure equitable access, fair prices, and efficient services for all.

Yet, none of these conditions are in place for many Americans when it comes to the Internet. 2019 data from Microsoft indicates that some 162 million Americans lack access to Internet broadband services, especially in rural regions and Native American tribal areas. Additionally, millions of people who have access do not subscribe to broadband services often because it is too expensive given their individual and family budgets.

To begin, here are two articles arguing for and against making the Internet a public utility:

Activity: Evaluate Whether the Government of the Roman Republic Would Have Made the Internet a Public Utility

Additional Resources 

Connecting to the Building Democracy for All eBook

Building Democracy for All: The Structure of Roman Government

Connecting to the Standards

This content is provided to you freely by Equity Press.

Access it online or download it at https://equitypress.org/mediaandciviclearning/internet_publicutility.