The Right to Access the Internet
In this article I want to address the concept of "digital rights", a term which describes those human rights that allow individuals to access, use, create, and publish digital media, or to access and use computers, other electronic devices, or communications networks.
Per Wikipedia, the term is particularly related to the protection and realization of existing rights, such as the right to privacy or freedom of expression, in the context of new digital technologies, especially the Internet.
It's the law (elsewhere)
Especially of note: The right to internet access is recognized as a right by the laws of several countries. I go further than this right to propose that affordable broadband internet should be a right in the United States.
Local issues
Here are some related questions for my readers in Hamakua Hawaii to ponder and ask their elected officials about - at the county, state, and federal level. I know these types of issues are relevant in rural communities elsewhere in our country too.
State-sponsored WiFi
Why is government-provided WiFi not available in every town in Hawaii, such as in downtown Honokaa? This would benefit locals and especially tourists who seek information on local attractions but who may get poor cell data service, like in downtown Honokaa. I would extend this request for service to the Waipio Valley lookout and other tourist attractions where visitors could learn in their own language about an attraction and appreciate it more deeply - and get safety advisories about access, including off-limits areas.
Neighbor out of luck
Why does Hawaiian Telcom have limited DSL internet service in Hamakua? I know of properties where the residents have Hawaiian Tel phone service but cannot get broadband internet. Case in point: my next-door neighbor. We both have Hawaiian Tel phone service, and I have DSL internet, but Hawaiian Tel won't provide DSL to my neighbor. What is this, cold war-era communist Europe? It's a 21st century disgrace. I'm embarrassed for Hawaiian Tel.
Powerline broadband anyone?
Here's another related question: Why - if Hawaiian Telcom refuses to provide broadband internet in areas where they ARE providing phone service - can't Helco provide internet service? There is a technology called broadband over powerline (BPL). It is a service where customers get high-speed internet connections through their standard electrical outlets. Users simply plug a power line modem into any socket; there is no need for additional special wiring.
Tablets for the library
On another note, why do our public libraries not provide tablets for patrons to check out in the library for reading e-books, browsing the web, watching movies on, etc.? There are also some useful learning apps for tablets that children could make use of while mom/dad read the paper. It seems a grant could be applied to make this happen, perhaps from ultra-rich Apple Inc. High school kids seeking community service hours could even volunteer time tutoring seniors and younger children on such devices.
If we, through our elected representatives, don't push for investments in widely available and affordable internet service and device access we certainly don't merit a reputation as a modern and technologically advanced nation, no matter what marvels Silicon Valley produces.
Thanks for reading!
-Sam
