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When will Internet access be declared a basic human right where you live?

A student, who’s participating in a course that I teach, sent me a link to this very interesting Spiegel Online interview with Mr. Mart Laar titled "Tigersprung ins Drahtlos-Netz". In the interview, I read that Estonia has declared Internet access a basic human right. For example, there’s free wireless lan in schools and in many other places across Estonia.

Reading the interview, I also stumpled upon this question and answer:

SPIEGEL ONLINE:
Was wäre nötig, um zum Beispiel in Deutschland ein vergleichbares Drahtlos-Netzwerk zu errichten?

Mr. Mart Laar:
Dazu müsste zunächst das Internet alltäglich für die Bevölkerung sein. Wenn es genug Nachfrage gibt, werden die Firmen entsprechende Dienste anbieten. Durch genug Wettkampf werden diese Angebote erschwinglich. Was solch einem Projekt normalerweise im Weg steht, sind mangelnder Wille oder zu wenig Mut. Ich bin mir sicher, dass die Deutschen das hinbekommen können. Schließlich bauen sie die weltbesten Autos, warum sollten sie also an einem Netzwerk scheitern? Just do it!

A couple of questions for you:
# 1: To which degree do you think that free internet access for everyone in a region would increase the knowledge level of the population in that particular region as well as increase economic growth across the region?
# 2: When do you think Internet access will be declared a basic human right where you live?

Comments

Unknown said…
Das Internet ist ein mächtiges Tool und in der heutigen Zeit in der industriallisierten Welt nicht mehr weg zu denken.

Jedoch was bringt das beste Tool ohne Know-how der Bedienung? Es ist zentral, dass man mit dem Medium entsprechend Umgehen kann.
Aus meiner Sicht gibt es allerdings vorallem in den Entwicklungsländer vorerst noch andere Herausforderungen die stärker gewichtet sein sollten als "das Recht auf Internetzugang"!
That's it form me so far.
Unknown said…
Thanks, Stefan, for your input. Regarding what you mention in the last part of your comment, I thought this posting might interest you:

http://frankcalberg.blogspot.com/2008/12/some-global-challenges.html

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