As children we all pretty much had the same choices of TV channels. There were the big three networks ABC, NBC, CBS. A PBS station and if you lived in a big market like the NYC area there were local stations like WOR, WPIX, WNEW. There was only antenna-based reception and if your antenna wasn't tuned right or there was a huge storm you reception could b pretty lousy.
With the coming of the 21st century the idea of everyone having similar TV experiences and opportunities is incomprehensible. What was once a highly regulated (think Phone and Electric companies) has become a free-for-all.
People talk about Broadband For All and how it would increase economic opportunities by giving high-speed Internet access to everyone. There is no doubt in my mind this is true. It is also a certainty that the Cable companies are very happy with the current arrangement where they can charge what they like. Cable is not a regulated government monopoly like the electric and water companies. It ought to be because Internet access is a necessity. If this pandemic has taught us anything it is that we are all in this together and we will co-exist much more peacefully if everyone can obtain inexpensive access to Tele-Health, Bill Paying, and Government services. And yes, Voting.
Until we come to our senses and realize that everyone needs Internet access we will continue to see the damaging effects of income inequality, distrust of institutions, and an ever debilitating public health crisis.
All we need is some stop gap measures like running coaxial cable to homes where it is feasible, using Cellular signals and WiFi where it is not. This is the kind of public works projects our country used to undertake, like when we created the National Highway System. Broadband, in all its different forms, is simply the much ballyhooed "Information Superhighway." Our Federal government is capable of constructing it, but currently lacks the will. Time will only tell when we will wise up and do the right thing.
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