108 lines
3.5 KiB
Markdown
108 lines
3.5 KiB
Markdown
# Free Communications: Because Getting Gouged by Telcos Isn't Freedom
|
|
|
|
!!! quote "Alberta Freedom Philosophy"
|
|
"If we're so free, why does it cost $100 a month to send memes to our friends?"
|
|
|
|
[Call Nate Glubish, Minister of Technology and Innovation](tel:7806448830){ .md-button }
|
|
[Email Minister of Technology and Innovation](https://button.freealberta.org/embed/tech-innovation){ .md-button }
|
|
|
|
[Call Dale Nally, Minister of Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction](tel:7804226880){ .md-button }
|
|
[Email Minister of Service Alberta](https://button.freealberta.org/embed/telecom-reform){ .md-button }
|
|
|
|
## The Current Situation
|
|
|
|
Let's talk about our "competitive" telecommunications market:
|
|
|
|
- Three major companies that mysteriously charge the same prices
|
|
- Rural areas with internet speeds from 1995
|
|
- Phone plans that cost more than a car payment
|
|
- "Unlimited" plans with more footnotes than features
|
|
|
|
## Why Communications Should Be Free
|
|
|
|
!!! info "Because..."
|
|
- The internet is essential infrastructure, not a luxury
|
|
- Most of the infrastructure was built with public money anyway
|
|
- Remote work needs reliable internet
|
|
- Modern democracy requires informed citizens
|
|
- Memes should flow freely
|
|
|
|
## What Free Communications Looks Like
|
|
|
|
### Internet Access
|
|
|
|
- Fiber to every home (yes, even the farms)
|
|
- Municipal broadband networks
|
|
- Public WiFi everywhere
|
|
- No data caps (revolutionary, we know)
|
|
- Actual gigabit speeds (not "up to" gigabit)
|
|
|
|
### Mobile Service
|
|
|
|
- Coverage everywhere, not just where it's profitable
|
|
- No more "value-added" services nobody asked for
|
|
- Free roaming (borders are a social construct)
|
|
- Unlimited everything (for real this time)
|
|
- Public mobile infrastructure
|
|
|
|
### Rural Connectivity
|
|
|
|
- High-speed internet for every farm
|
|
- Mobile coverage on every range road
|
|
- Satellite internet as backup
|
|
- Community mesh networks
|
|
- Equal speeds for equal citizens
|
|
|
|
## The "But Competition Drives Innovation!" Myth
|
|
|
|
!!! tip "Reality Check"
|
|
- Most innovation comes from public research anyway
|
|
- The Big 3 mostly innovate new ways to charge more
|
|
- Real competition would mean more than three choices
|
|
- South Korea has better internet (and they're half our size)
|
|
|
|
## How We Get There
|
|
|
|
1. Create a public telecommunications utility
|
|
2. Break up the oligopoly
|
|
3. Invest in public infrastructure
|
|
4. Support community-owned networks
|
|
5. Stop pretending the market will fix itself
|
|
|
|
!!! warning "Corporate Excuse Bingo"
|
|
- "But our infrastructure costs!"
|
|
- "But our Canadian weather!"
|
|
- "But our population density!"
|
|
- "But our shareholders!"
|
|
- (All excuses somehow lead to record profits)
|
|
|
|
## The Real Cost of Paid Communications
|
|
|
|
- Digital divide growing wider
|
|
- Remote communities left behind
|
|
- Students struggling to access online education
|
|
- Small businesses paying enterprise rates
|
|
- Families choosing between phones and food
|
|
|
|
## What We're Missing
|
|
|
|
- Universal access to information
|
|
- Remote work opportunities
|
|
- Online education possibilities
|
|
- Digital innovation
|
|
- Cat videos (the people need their cat videos)
|
|
|
|
## Deep Dive Resources
|
|
|
|
[Digital Rights](../freefrom/surveillance.md){.md-button}
|
|
|
|
[Corporate Monopolies](../freefrom/corporate.md){.md-button}
|
|
|
|
## The Bottom Line
|
|
|
|
In a digital age, treating communication as a commodity rather than a right is like charging for access to roads. Oh wait, they're trying to do that too...
|
|
|
|
!!! success "Pro Tip"
|
|
If your telecom bill is higher than your grocery bill, something's wrong with the system (and it's not you).
|
|
|
|
 |