Information Society Watch

Free Press.net

This article proposes Community Internet as the answer to the growing divisions between the connected and unconnected sections of the US populations. In the US, some consider high-speed Internet access a basic public necessity. Yet realistically, even in this wealthy country, many Americans are unable to get connected or afford service. Fortunately, new technologies are allowing local governments, public-private partnerships, schools and community groups to offer better Internet service, as evidenced by the hundreds of Community Internet and municipal broadband projects that have appeared across the country. However, the politics determining the scaling up of Community Internet is often decided by large telecommunications corporations and their clout can only be overcome by strong political commitment to connectivity.

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