Mon 11/03

A couple months ago we saw a huge push in the advocacy for net neutrality. The issue was all over the news, the internet, and the term itself seemed to be on the tips of everybody’s tongues, but I believe there’s more to the story. The war for equality, in regards to the internet, should not just be limited to a virtual space. Instead, the war for equality, in regards to the internet, is happening right in your backyard.

It all started last year when I moved from a highly residential and wealthier suburb of Cleveland (Berea), to an inner city community (Ohio City,) and started to see a dramatic decrease in internet quality. I have called my provider, Time Warner Cable, several times about the issue and we’ve had two technicians come out to check on the situation, both to no avail.

While I would like to switch internet providers, the only company that services my area is TWC. My qualms with the situation may have started out as personal, but slowly seem to be evolving into something more. Now there are questions in my head like: is this internet monopoly fair? Why is quality internet, at low prices, only offered to those who live in wealthier neighborhoods? Is my neighborhood being affected by the lack of quality internet available in the home?

The need for internet in the home has certainly reached its highest demand ever, and with good reason. If you don’t believe that, think about how almost all job applications are now conducted online; how the internet provides unlimited educational resources; how the internet allows users an easy way to experience other cultures; and how the internet allows users to express themselves freely — just to name a few necessities.

The internet should no longer be viewed as a purchasable product, but instead as an essential resource for human vitality; and when we cut out a certain demographic from access to that resource, how do we expect growth? Sure, I can go to the library for free internet, but I don’t have the time to walk there nor the money to take an expensive bus ride, and I shouldn’t have to.

“Well Marty this sounds like an unsolvable issue. It’s not the responsibility of these large corporations to lose money on an investment and provide internet service for those in need, and if they don’t, who will?” Why do you care so much about the well being of a large corporation that couldn’t give two shits about you? These wealthy internet providers should be required to help communities while they siphon millions. More people need access to the internet than CEOs need another Maserati.

Additionally, we should be looking to support some non-profits that are looking to bridge the gap. A local example I could point to is the organization OneCommunity. OneCommunity’s mission is to “Expand high-speed broadband access and adoption to strengthen Northeast Ohio,” and they’re on the right track.

OneCommunity has already expanded their ultra-high-speed, fiber-optic broadband network, across 2,000 miles in NEO, and provides speeds up to 10Gbps or greater. That’s over 600 times faster than what I can get in my home! The only issue is that the organization has not yet expanded to residential use, but I can see why.

In order to expand, the organization would have to go up against these huge multi-billion dollar companies — oh, how I can see the red tape now! The litigation and battles that this organization has probably already been through sound insurmountable, but necessary.

The city of Cleveland and its residents need quality internet at a fair price. We have gotten to a point in society where each day is becoming more virtually demanding by the second, and some are falling behind faster than others. The internet is no longer a service, it’s the new classroom.

http://www.onecommunity.org/

http://martinbielat.wordpress.com/

After finishing his blog internship at Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Marty Bielat became the Director of Engagement for CoolCleveland and kissed print media good-bye.

Post categories:

• Martin Bielat