While many urban Utility Professionals and consumer markets have become accustomed to Cable TV and Internet simply “being there” for us to pay to tap into, would it interest you to know that currently over 38% of Americans do not have either one?
Those of us who have enjoyed this fast moving informational convenience for some time would be very hard pressed to give it up. And “we” (I’m including myself) would probably argue that it’s become a necessity of living in this frenetic atmosphere of 2011.
BUT, it’s NOT a utility.
Well at least that’s what the courts say. You guessed it! Lawyers became involved and took it to the judges when money issues surfaced. From divorce issues to bankruptcy cases, the definition of a “Utility” has required clarification in order to rule whether Cable TV and Broadband is an “everyday necessity”
Emily Long of The Lamp writes “A public utility can be defined as “a business that furnishes an everyday necessity to the public at large.” Gas, electricity and water are all considered public utilities, as is telephone service. In strictly legal terms, there is also a regulatory component in the public utility definition, I am concerned with the “everyday necessity” portion. A lack of cable TV does not make it more difficult for someone to search for a job or apply to school, and I would count both employment and education as necessities.“
Ms. Long continues, saying “I don’t recall an argument ever being made by the government that people not having cable is an issue for real concern, but this seems to be the case with the Internet. Equally important as having Internet access is learning media literacy; otherwise we’re in a world of trouble. One thing I frequently hear is that people already know how to use the Internet, so what can media literacy do for them? But the truth is that not everyone has access. Whether you’re talking about New York City or the entire United States, this is a problem because the Internet is quickly becoming essential to daily life. It may have been ridiculous to say this ten years ago, but I do believe broadband Internet access is a public utility; as websites become more sophisticated, low-speed access is less and less useful."
I have to admit that I agree with her analysis, particularly when it comes to serving the educational needs of our next generations. Good point, even your writer here has been involved with skills improvement and testing that is ONLY available online. Could it be argued that I could just go sit with all the high school kids at the local library and try to concentrate at one of the public computers? Sure, but I’ll let you call them and tell them they have to stay open until I get home from afternoon shift at 1:00 AM!
I have to admit that I agree with her analysis, particularly when it comes to serving the educational needs of our next generations. Good point, even your writer here has been involved with skills improvement and testing that is ONLY available online. Could it be argued that I could just go sit with all the high school kids at the local library and try to concentrate at one of the public computers? Sure, but I’ll let you call them and tell them they have to stay open until I get home from afternoon shift at 1:00 AM!
We can talk more later about whether broadband cable really has become a utility, I gotta go and try to find an unlocked window at the library!
By K.B. Elliott
K. B. Elliott is a freelance writer for UtilitesJobs.com. Working positions on both the corporate consumer and provider side of utilities in the Detroit area for over 30 years gives him a unique perspective on these 24/7 businesses. To read more of his blogs, please go to UtilitiesJobsblog.com, and be sure to check out the postings for jobs in nearly any industry at Nexxt
By K.B. Elliott
K. B. Elliott is a freelance writer for UtilitesJobs.com. Working positions on both the corporate consumer and provider side of utilities in the Detroit area for over 30 years gives him a unique perspective on these 24/7 businesses. To read more of his blogs, please go to UtilitiesJobsblog.com, and be sure to check out the postings for jobs in nearly any industry at Nexxt
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