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Finland has become the first country in the world to make access to broadband a legal right for all its citizens. The new legislation forces Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to provide Internet connection at affordable prices, with speed of at least 1mbps, from 01 July 2010 to all offices and permanent residence. The Finnish communications authority hope that everyone in Finland will seize this opportunity by approaching Telecom operators in their neighbourhood.
The legislation, known as the Universal Service Obligation places access to broadband on similar grounds as other commodities such as access to telephone and postal services. The Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) expects a monthly fee in the region of 30 to 40 Euros, by the 26 universal service providers across Finland, will be affordable to all its citizens.
While the decision might raise eyebrows in some places, it should be noted that Finland is actually one of the few countries where the vast majority of its population have some form of Internet access and home to multi-national telecommunications giant, Nokia.
Talking Point
Should more countries follow suite by making access to Broadband Internet Connection a legal right for citizens?