The U.S. Federal Communications Commission released a plan on Monday for the foundation of a National Broadband System. This system aims to have 100 million American households get Internet speeds of 100 megabits per second by 2020. The goals of the plan are to improve speeds and to increase coverage to the nearly 100 million Americans with dial up Internet access. A Connect America Fund would receive up to $15.5 Billion over the next decade to help achieve this goal.
The FCC plans to use the nation’s airwaves to achieve it’s goal. The FCC plans to ask broadcasters (mainly cable companies) to give up a part of the spectrum they are not using. Most do not know that cable companies do not use all the spectrum as a means for future development. Most use around half, and save the other half for the future in case they wish to expand their lineup. The FCC at first wishes to buy the unused spectrum space, in which cable companies are not likely to give up easily. The FCC has also stated they may ‘take action’ in order to gain access to the spectrum. In other words, if the FCC wants it, they will get it.
Think about it this way. Say you own land, 1000 acres. You have a good business, however at this time you cannot use all of the land due to market conditions. So you use 600 acres and let the rest sit until the market conditions improve. To use all 1000 would cost more then what it would produce, so you sit and wait. The government comes in, and wants the 400 acres you are not using for land to build a building. They justify it by stating you are not using it, and they have a need. They ask to buy the land from you. You state no, the land is mine, and I will do as I wish with it. The next day the Government comes to your door, and states your land is now theirs, and if you do not like it, to bad. This is the same thing. This is a power grab. Many do not feel concerned because it is power being taken from cable companies and the like. You should be concerned, as it is a disturbing trend in America that will lead us to Communism if we are not careful.
Many are equating the National Broadband system to the National Healthcare system, stating it is an attempt to gain control of another major system within America. I cannot deny this argument. This does feel like a power grab, which would stifle creativity and freedom. I have the following questions about a National Broadband system:
1. What is the overall cost? – I do not believe for a second the cost will be limited to 15.5 Billion. I expect 150-300 billion or even more. I do not think people understand; we are in a recession. The Obama Administration does not seem to grasp this, and instead appears to want to make it worse. We NEED to stop spending money! If you are in debt, do you stop spending and begin to save money to pay off the debt, or do you increase spending and dig yourself further into debt? If your Obama, you spend and spend and do not care. Do you want tax rates of 50-75% of your income? Prepare for it, if this does not stop.
2. Who gets what access? – Not all areas of the country will get the 100 Mbps. How will it be decided who gets what? Will people in major cities get this access? If so, what will it cost for the end user?
3. Will the poor get it for free? – Will it be like national healthcare, where the poor will get free access? If so, do I have to pay for their access as a fee for me, the paying customer? Will it be free for everyone, or just those who vote a specific way? Sorry, I am cynical, but I do not put it past them. If you want people to vote for you (especially Democrats), provide a free service and state only we can offer it to you. The morons will vote for you, increasing their power.
4. Will I be forced to be on the National Broadband system? Can I get my Internet from another company, or will I be forced to participate? Will I be fined if I do not? Yes, this is modeled after National Health Care questions. But to me, this is similar.
5. Will companies offering broadband access be allowed to continue to exist, or will the government take them over?
6. Will the government watch everything I do in real time, and monitor my location? I think this is a yes, no matter what, as I think they already do it. The era of privacy is dead.
These are just some of the questions I have. Yes, I am cynical, and am biased. The government is growing larger and larger, which means less freedom for you and me. I am not pleased by this, all though I do not think I would be pleased with anything the government will do.
Article Source: Click Here.
About the author: Psychcomp is owned and maintained by Nathan Driskell, a Licensed Professional Counselor - Intern specializing in Internet Addiction and Asperger's Disorder. Nathan is also a Web Designer and Network Administrator.
Contact Nathan at the following locations:
dami...@psychcomp.com">E-Mail
Twitter
Related Posts
- Is Broadband Internet Access a Right?
- Burger King’s Windows 7 Ad: Jack Needed
- President Obama’s Internet Kill Switch
- Pandora: Internet Radio Done Right
- Linux: Remount a Directory
- The Trappings of Addiction
- Hulu: Expect to Pay in 2010
Tags: Internet, National Broadband
Loading ...
