main
Report a problem

Finland makes broadband a legal right

Brad Sams   on 14 October 2009 - 17:50 · 71 comments & 6731 views

Advertisement (Why?)
Many people consider having broadband access a privilege but if you live in Finland, it has become a legal right. Starting in July 2010 it will be a legal right for every person to have a broadband connection of at least 1Mb and by 2015 everyone will have access to a 100Mb connection.

While not the first country to make broadband a legal right -- that title goes to the Swiss-- it does show a growing trend of how integrated broadband technologies are into our lives.

Not much else is known about the new law that will make broadband a legal right. Such that, is it a crime to prohibit someone from accessing broadband or can you ban certain persons from broadband?

Regardless of what the legal right actually entails, it is notable that the government is actively trying to give every one of its citizens an equal opportunity to have broadband access in their homes. For reference the population of Finland is 5.24 million people while New York, New York was 8.3 million as of July 2007.

Post a comment · Send to friend Comments · There are 71 additional comments
(11 replies) #1 Mandator on 14 Oct 2009 - 17:52
And here in the UK we get taxed on using broadband!
#1.1 James Brooks on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:39
We sure do. Scamming gits.
#1.2 Billus on 14 Oct 2009 - 20:20
And so do us Australians. In fact, the government has decided to splurge $52 billion of our tax payer dollars to lay out some cables rather than let the privatised companies do it. Amazingly, they rely on the hopes of a privatised company/ies to buy it out when its completed. The only company that realistically could was Testra, but they decided to split them up due to them being a monopoly. To put this in perspective, this could be better spent on education and hospitals which are poorly degrading, almost close to third world countryies. Weird how a Governments mind works.
#1.3 Brodel on 14 Oct 2009 - 21:27
Mandator said,
And here in the UK we get taxed on using broadband!


Did the possibility of people in Finland paying higher taxes on earnings etc cross your mind at all?
#1.4 Lord Ba'al on 15 Oct 2009 - 01:00
Mandator said,
And here in the UK we get taxed on using broadband!

A whopping £0.50, truly a cruel tax.
Don't you have anything else to whine about?
#1.5 VWW on 15 Oct 2009 - 01:06
Billus said,
And so do us Australians. In fact, the government has decided to splurge $52 billion of our tax payer dollars to lay out some cables rather than let the privatised companies do it. Amazingly, they rely on the hopes of a privatised company/ies to buy it out when its completed. The only company that realistically could was Testra, but they decided to split them up due to them being a monopoly. To put this in perspective, this could be better spent on education and hospitals which are poorly degrading, almost close to third world countryies. Weird how a Governments mind works.

Wow... you really need to get your facts right or at least research your information before spouting nonsense.
#1.6 Billus on 15 Oct 2009 - 08:55
VWW said,
Wow... you really need to get your facts right or at least research your information before spouting nonsense.


Hmmm, yea okay, how's this for starters: http://tvnz.co.nz/technology-news/aust-bui...network-2624780. Try looking around in a variety of newspapers and on the internet to get a broader picture rather than relying on left leaning media outlets to get your information. It is going to be a complete utter failure, why do you think the government sold off its communication lines in the first place?
#1.7 Foub on 15 Oct 2009 - 10:21
Billus said,
And so do us Australians. In fact, the government has decided to splurge $52 billion of our tax payer dollars to lay out some cables rather than let the privatised companies do it. Amazingly, they rely on the hopes of a privatised company/ies to buy it out when its completed. The only company that realistically could was Testra, but they decided to split them up due to them being a monopoly. To put this in perspective, this could be better spent on education and hospitals which are poorly degrading, almost close to third world countryies. Weird how a Governments mind works.


Yeah, its weird how some people's mind works.... It was the private sector that got you into your current mess as it is. Your faith in them is truly religious in its oblivion towards reality.

I get a big laugh from people like you. You're always going on about your rights and freedoms, but when others gain more you whine like a baby that they shouldn't have any.....

Last edited by Foub on 15 Oct 2009 - 10:31
#1.8 Foub on 15 Oct 2009 - 10:52
#1.9 Mandator on 15 Oct 2009 - 10:58
Brodel said,
Did the possibility of people in Finland paying higher taxes on earnings etc cross your mind at all?

Yea it did, but this article isn't about taxes on earning.
#1.10 Mandator on 15 Oct 2009 - 11:01
Lord Ba'al said,
A whopping £0.50, truly a cruel tax.
Don't you have anything else to whine about?

Wow, I wasn't talking about how cruel the tax is, I was only stating how the two countries have different views on broadband and how they want to deal with it. And no, I don't have anything else to whine about, im quite happy today.
#1.11 Foub on 15 Oct 2009 - 12:18
Brodel said,
Did the possibility of people in Finland paying higher taxes on earnings etc cross your mind at all?


You don't realize that it costs to live in a properly functioning and civilized society. Right now in America because of massive tax cuts, and deregulation, 70% of their roads and bridges are deemed unsafe, the education system is ranked very low, etc, etc. The American Dream is failing. Hopefully Obama can reverse this trend before it is too late.

None of these peoples in other nations, that are properly functioning, are going without as much as Americans are. Quality of life in these nations is quite high in comparison.

http://www.canada.com/business/Canada+four...7674/story.html

Last edited by Foub on 15 Oct 2009 - 12:32
(2 replies) #2 jafoman on 14 Oct 2009 - 17:56
100MB... Nice.
#2.1 xSuRgEx on 14 Oct 2009 - 22:27
they are gettign 100mbps not 100MB

100mbps network interface is capable of transferring ~12.5 megabytes per second. so thats very fast connection.

#2.2 epple on 15 Oct 2009 - 13:19
100 Mbps*
(1 reply) #3 vetneufuse on 14 Oct 2009 - 17:57
if it was in the USA it would be a legal right with "caps" to your rights...
#3.1 roadwarrior on 15 Oct 2009 - 03:04
No caps on my broadband connection here in Mississippi.
(5 replies) #4 Stetson on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:03
I've seen this article all over but it really doesn't come with much information.

Does this simply mean that broadband companies must offer 1MB+ connections to everyone who wishes to pay for one, or that the connection itself is paid for by the government?
#4.1 soulosis on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:33
it would be paid by the user, you wouldnt need to have internet if you didnt want it but the providers would have to provide at least a 1MB or faster connection and eventually provide a 100MB connection though again yes you would need to pay for that

im not sure though if they would be required with the 100MB service if the actual internet link to be 100MB or just a minimum capacity of 100MB so they could utilize it if having enough bandwidth
#4.2 +M2Ys4U on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:40
This will be exactly like phone lines, gas, electricity and water currently are. You have to pay for the service, but everyone will have to able to receive the service with a minimum quality of service, in this case 1mbps.
#4.3 jordan. on 14 Oct 2009 - 20:22
What if, theoretically, I live waaay out in the country by myself where there is no coverage? Does this mean the carrier is forced to run a line out there just for me? Who pays for it?
#4.4 MioTheGreat on 14 Oct 2009 - 20:40
jordan. said,
What if, theoretically, I live waaay out in the country by myself where there is no coverage? Does this mean the carrier is forced to run a line out there just for me? Who pays for it?


This is Finland. It's decent sized, but it's still only about half the size of Texas.
#4.5 powerade01 on 15 Oct 2009 - 14:26
M2Ys4U said,
This will be exactly like phone lines, gas, electricity and water currently are. You have to pay for the service, but everyone will have to able to receive the service with a minimum quality of service, in this case 1mbps.


Exactly. I dont understand how people cannot understand the article.

The service is NOT free but you have to have it legally.
I believe this should be international law.
(3 replies) #5 JHH on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:06
Wow, check your spelling before you post articles.
#5.1 vetneufuse on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:15
JHH said,
Wow, check your spelling before you post articles.


what's spelled wrong besides not apostrophe in it's?
#5.2 bdsams on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:39
neufuse said,
what's spelled wrong besides not apostrophe in it's?


id like to know too, the ' in it's i debated, becuase it is doesnt fit in that location
#5.3 Omid Sadeghi on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:40
MB is wrong. If you go to the link of the news from gizmodo which is provided in the news text, you see there is written "one-megabit" and also "a hundred megabits". So MB is wrong and Mb ( with small b ) is correct.

I think everyone knows b is the abbreviation for bit and B is the abbreviation for Byte.
(2 replies) #6 PureLegend on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:11
What an odd right.
#6.1 pookie62 on 15 Oct 2009 - 01:31
Not really, as the internet becomes a replacement to mail. In many countries you submit your income taxes via the web. Now add banking, education, etc. It now becomes a utility, just like telephone, water, electricity, etc. It does not mean free...
#6.2 Jugalator on 15 Oct 2009 - 07:03
PureLegend said,
What an odd right.

It's a bit like a right to get TV or radio reception, just taken to 2009. This can be very important to have in various emergency circumstances, not to mention informing yourself about your country, in the form of news and politics, or interacting with your local area. I don't think it's that odd, just that we may still be a bit unadjusted to the idea. Not so in 2020 though, I bet.
(6 replies) #7 cabron on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:11
Wow, in the United States we are basically in the infancy of Broadband speed. In Japan you can get 100MBit connection so easy.
#7.1 xcguy87 on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:41
It depends where you live. I live on long island, new york and can get a 100mbit/sec connection for $50 more.
#7.2 Omid Sadeghi on 14 Oct 2009 - 19:03
do you mean 50$ per month or per year ? can you download unlimited or for example you can only download 50GB per month ?
#7.3 Karo - 323z IT on 14 Oct 2009 - 19:25
California doesn't get more than maybe 200mbps and that is only for UCLA/USC/and the like. FIOS is the only one for homes that I know of to offer the most bandwidth.
#7.4 Simon on 14 Oct 2009 - 22:38
I get 10mbps. I have the fastest internet available around here.
#7.5 Mekun on 15 Oct 2009 - 02:20
You do realize the size of the US compared to Finland right?
Apples and oranges.
#7.6 Jugalator on 15 Oct 2009 - 07:07
Mekun said,
You do realize the size of the US compared to Finland right?
Apples and oranges.

I don't see anyone here talking of pulling a line across the US though, but mostly local area access in a city?

The bandwidth is apparently there anyway, for the universities, so it's not a matter of "a long road to the water" at least.
#8 yxz on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:15
100Mb 2010
10Gb 2015
alpha centauri
(7 replies) #9 n_K on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:15
"while New York, New York was"
New york new york ? Eh?
#9.1 djesteban on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:36
n_K said,
"while New York, New York was"
New york new york ? Eh?

I think he meant New York City... it's just a odd way to say it.
Now, regarding the topic, I am FREAKING jealous. This has no chance to happen in ISP-monopoly-controlled-Canada
#9.2 Stetson on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:36
As in New York city in New York state?
#9.3 a1ien on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:38
Perhaps you've heard of it, here's a map: http://maps.google.com/maps?&q=New+York,+NY
#9.4 wookietv on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:40
djesteban said,
n_K said,
"while New York, New York was"
New york new york ? Eh?

I think he meant New York City... it's just a odd way to say it.
Now, regarding the topic, I am FREAKING jealous. This has no chance to happen in ISP-monopoly-controlled-Canada


New York, NY is how you refer to Manhattan in an address...
for example:
1 Main St
New York, NY 10001

but the population mentioned is for all of NYC, including the other 4 boroughs (brooklyn, queens, bronx, staten island)
#9.5 n_K on 14 Oct 2009 - 23:31
There's a new york state and a new york town, both with the exact same name? Mildly confusing
#9.6 powerade01 on 15 Oct 2009 - 14:23
n_K said,
There's a new york state and a new york town, both with the exact same name? Mildly confusing

This, since the creation, has been like this.

New York state
New York city

New York, New York.
#9.7 Cziu on 15 Oct 2009 - 18:36
djesteban said,
This has no chance to happen in ISP-monopoly-controlled-Canada


You mean phone line (read "Bell") monopoly...
(2 replies) #10 ajua on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:22
There isn't much information about what this right entitles...

Are the governments supposed to provide the population with at least the 1mb connection?
#10.1 Julius Caro on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:42
ajua said,
There isn't much information about what this right entitles...

Are the governments supposed to provide the population with at least the 1mb connection?


No. Having running water, telephone, etc, is also a legal right in most countries if I'm not mistaken. I think the implications are that if somebody wants a broadband internet connection, at least SOMEBODY has to be providing the service.
#10.2 Shadrack on 14 Oct 2009 - 20:28
Julius Caro said,
ajua said,
There isn't much information about what this right entitles...

Are the governments supposed to provide the population with at least the 1mb connection?


No. Having running water, telephone, etc, is also a legal right in most countries if I'm not mistaken. I think the implications are that if somebody wants a broadband internet connection, at least SOMEBODY has to be providing the service.


In designated residential, commercial, and industrial areas, correct? You can't decide to move to a remote region and demand broadband.

Also, aren't there 1mb "connections" available via satellite? Basically, pass the legislation and say DONE!
(1 reply) #11 Rolith on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:42
Countries keep using this word... I do not think it means what you think it means...

"rights" are not things that require the money / effort of others to grant... right is something you'd have if no outside force was acting against you...
#11.1 Jugalator on 15 Oct 2009 - 07:09
Rolith said,
Countries keep using this word... I do not think it means what you think it means...

"rights" are not things that require the money / effort of others to grant... right is something you'd have if no outside force was acting against you...

Huh, what are you talking about? Are you saying there's no extra effort on behalf of the ISP's to guarantee everyone in the country can get at least a 1 Mbps connection?? I'd say that this will take quite some extra government funding if the costs won't be pushed to the customers instead.
(2 replies) #12 Omid Sadeghi on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:50
I live in Iran. I wish I lived in South Korea because it has the broadest internet connections.

Here in Iran having a 0.5 Mbit connection at least costs you 15$ per month and you can only download 3 GigaByte per month. If you are going to download unlimited with 0.5 Mbit per second you have to pay some hundred dollars per month.

Here less than one percent have 0.5 MBit connections and the other people have lower connection. 90 percent here have dial-up connection which means 56Kbit and just 10 percent have ADSL connection. Our country is very poor in internet and sites like Facebook, twitter and many other are censored. Even One of the neowin news related to teen opinions about steve jobs is censored here because it has the word teen.
#12.1 tiagosilva29 on 14 Oct 2009 - 20:39
Omid Sadeghi said,
I wish I lived in South Korea because it has the broadest internet connections.

Yeah sure, if you discard the zerg rushes.
#12.2 Omid Sadeghi on 15 Oct 2009 - 17:17
what do you mean by zerg rushes ?
#13 LaXu on 14 Oct 2009 - 18:54
Basically what it means for us Finns is that folks living in the countryside will have access to half-decent net speed instead of anything from modems to 256k or 512k crap. The price will probably still be pretty high compared to what we city-dwellers can get.

For the record I'm on a 100/100 Mbps connection in Helsinki. If the government had invested in proper broadband like Sweden instead of useless digital TV we'd have nice connections at least all around the metropolitan area rather than only in small specific places like where I live.
(1 reply) #14 BanneD on 14 Oct 2009 - 19:21
15 euros for unlimited download/upload on fiber optics from the company i work at... ofcourse i'd have to add that i live in one of 9 countries that are ready for "tomorrows internet"
#14.1 cabron on 14 Oct 2009 - 20:05
BanneD said,
15 euros for unlimited download/upload on fiber optics from the company i work at... ofcourse i'd have to add that i live in one of 9 countries that are ready for "tomorrows internet"


Damn it, I don't understand why the United States is called the world's most advanced country when we can't even match the broadband speed and prices of other countries. It sucks, I have a 728kb connection and I pay for this crap $22 dollars.
(3 replies) #15 mamamamamamama on 14 Oct 2009 - 19:50
"by 2015 everyone will have access to a 100Mb connection."

There are about 8-9 people living in Finland anyway, shouldn't be that hard giving them each a 100mb connection.
#15.1 soulosis on 14 Oct 2009 - 21:23
2009 estimate 5,346,927
2000 census 5,180,000

Youre either retarded or bad at trying to make jokes
#15.2 m.keeley on 14 Oct 2009 - 23:58
No he was dead serious, sheesh!
#15.3 Cziu on 15 Oct 2009 - 18:34
soulosis said,
2009 estimate 5,346,927
2000 census 5,180,000

Youre either retarded or bad at trying to make jokes


The only one retarded is people like you coming up with answers like that when someone claims that 8-9 people are living in Finland....sigh
#16 M_Lyons10 on 14 Oct 2009 - 21:28
Hm... I wish the US would do something like this. When you're out in the country, there's not much in the way of fast internet available...
(3 replies) #17 m.keeley on 14 Oct 2009 - 23:58
So they have a legal right to broadband as long as they pay for it, big deal.
#17.1 Solid Knight on 15 Oct 2009 - 00:05
...How is that a right then?
#17.2 Eddo89 on 15 Oct 2009 - 02:38
Refer to a comment above.

Basically, you have a right to a telephone line, electricity, clean water supply with a price. Basically, if you pay for internet, you have the right to 10mb just as you expect the water you pay for is clean or that you have a stable electricity supply as opposed to one that have occasional but consistent blackouts.

So hence, this right means everyone must have reliable internet that is at least 10mb. For some people, it makes no difference since they already got high speed. Others may not have the speed, fullstop, or that have unreliable/slow speed, the law makes it a right to have that speed.
#17.3 Jugalator on 15 Oct 2009 - 07:13
Solid Knight said,
...How is that a right then?

I'd say that the people that could formerly not even get 1 Mbps where they live, would now call this a right, if they're now guaranteed it.

That's what this article is all about. I'm not sure what's so complicated here. Nowhere are we speaking of FREE INTERNETS.
(3 replies) #18 Mekun on 15 Oct 2009 - 02:25
Finland The land of high taxes. No thanks you can have your broadband, I would rather spend my money the way I see fit .
#18.1 Eddo89 on 15 Oct 2009 - 02:44
Yeah, but you don't exactly see people flocking out of Finland do you? From all the world wide research I've seen, Finland seems to be a country that ranks top in nearly everything positive. Good health care, low crime rate, few joblosses, education, lack of corruption and good financial security.

Finland, like the other Scandi countries, are pleasant places to live in. All people think of is taxes, but you sometimes have to look at what ends up in your hands, and sometimes high tax don't mean much if you have a higher salary or that you don't need to spend on things as much as you would have needed elsewhere.
#18.2 Cziu on 15 Oct 2009 - 18:34
Mekun said,
Finland The land of high taxes. No thanks you can have your broadband, I would rather spend my money the way I see fit .


Let me guess... Republican...sigh
#18.3 Mekun on 15 Oct 2009 - 20:18
Let me guess DB....
#19 HazeFaceKillah on 15 Oct 2009 - 02:58
This is awesome, we need something to be done about the ISP's in Canada though.

Commenting has either been disabled on this article or you are not logged in. Click here to login or register, its free!

Note: Anonymous commenting is disabled in order to keep the quality of responses to a high standard.

Advertisement (Why?)