It is undeniable that the internet has becomed an essential service nowadays. People without access to the internet can experience all sorts of problems and difficulties when dealing with every day tasks. That is the case, for example, of old people living alone. They may feel isolated and without tools to cope with today’s daily matters, as recently more and more services are offered only through the internet. From making doctor’s apointments to booking fly tickets, nowadays these kind of services are very hard to get without internet connection, but is this a reason for making them free for all users?
Some people would say it is, because the internet is in fact am essential service and individuals who have not access to it become apart of the world with no means to survive, as everything is now designed for a digital environment.
As I mentioned above, this is what happens to older population, but also to people who live in remote areas with no internet connection. In these cases, governments should help by granting subsidizes or any financial help in order to guarantee the access to internet.
Having said that, it is also true that many essential services and products are not free for the majority of the population. We all have tompay taxes for using public services. Although electricity, gas and water are first necessity commodities, we still have to pay them, not to mention food. People with higher salaries can afford more and better quality food than others with lower incomes. All in all, nothing is granted for free, and the internet should not be an exception.
In my view, the internet should be seen like a basic neccessity and governments should try to help people with difficulties or in a weak possition in order to facilitate its access to everybody, nevertheless it does not mean that the network has to be a free service, as none of other basic products or services are not.