<p>Water, electricity, internet: Three things that Americans can increasingly not live without.</p>
<p>Recently, though, that last item has seemed under threat. Earlier this year <a href="https://futurism.com/fcc-published-net-neutrality-repeal-order-whats-next/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the FCC repealed net neutrality</a>, allowing U.S. internet service providers (ISPs) to control the price of broadband speed and threatening equal access to information, education and other essential online services.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://futurism.com/democrats-net-neutrality/">battle may seem lost</a>. But the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has a plan to fight back.</p>
<p>In a recent report shipped to 100 mayors in 30 states, ACLU makes the case that, instead of leaving internet in the hands of private companies, it should be the concern of local administrators.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.aclu.org/report/public-internet-option?redirect=muni-broadband-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The report points out</a> that the move would be perfectly legal, too. &#8220;Nothing the FCC has done prevents a city, county, or town from directing its own, municipally run service to honor strong network neutrality and privacy policies,&#8221; it reads.</p>
<div>Empowering cities to run their own internet networks could help bypass the power of private corporations, but has other important benefits, too. According to a <a href="http://ei.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/SingerAssessingImpact6.17.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report by the consulting firm Economist Incorporated</a>, over 56 million households in the country don&#8217;t have access to high-speed broadband. That&#8217;s partly because many communities are too small and remote to be a good investment for ISPs.</div>
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<div>Take<em> </em>the village of Pinetops, North Carolina. <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/xwzj9q/the-town-that-had-free-gigabit-internet">According to <em>Motherboard</em></a>, the town of 1,300 people had a long legal struggle with Big Telecom and eventually won the right to keep its municipal broadband — until a private company decided to step in and offer the same service.</div>
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<div>In remote communities, people don&#8217;t mind paying for internet access: &#8220;We had it and they wanted to take it away,&#8221; Suzanne Coker Craig, a local commissioner and business owner told <em>Motherboard</em>. &#8220;Our folks are very excited to have it back.&#8221;</div>
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<div>At the core of ACLU&#8217;s call for action is the idea that internet access is a democratic right. &#8220;Municipal systems should be built to serve all residents equally,&#8221;<a href="https://www.aclu.org/report/public-internet-option?redirect=muni-broadband-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> the report says</a>, &#8220;even though the demands of affluent neighborhoods might be louder than others.&#8221; If Pinetops&#8217; experience is anything to go by, the idea is sure to face some stern opposition from private ISPs.</div>
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<div>But the case is strong for cities to take the lead, and the successful examples, <a href="https://muninetworks.org/content/most-municipal-networks-built-conservative-cities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">many of which are of conservative communities</a>, speak for themselves: &#8220;They’re reaping the benefits of local control over what has become an indispensable utility,&#8221; Jay Stanley, one of<a href="https://www.aclu.org/blog/free-speech/internet-speech/public-broadband-can-help-protect-open-internet-and-close-digital" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> the ACLU&#8217;s report authors</a>, wrote in a blogpost. &#8220;Other cities would be wise to consider taking a similar path.&#8221;</div>


The case is strong for cities to take the lead.

Super-local broadband may be the best way to preserve net neutrality

Rows of red network cables connected to router

Future Society

In a new report, ACLU encourages mayors across the U.S. to set up public broadband services, so citizens can maintain equal internet access despite the recent net neutrality repeal. 

Super-Local Broadband May Be The Best Way to Preserve Net Neutrality

Access to the internet could become a public service.

<h2>Connecting the Entire World</h2>
<p>Advances have been made in <a href="https://futurism.com/uk-decided-10-mbps-broadband-legal-right/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">broadband technology</a>, but it&#8217;s hard to ignore the fact that many live with poor broadband connection, while others simply have to settle for having no internet connection at all. OneWeb is a company focused on changing things for the better, and its plans are taking off in 2018.</p>
<p>As reported by <i><a href="https://www.fiercewireless.com/wireless/2018-preview-satellite-industry-2-0-tees-up-bevy-satellites-for-broadband-for-all" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fierce Wireless</a></i>, OneWeb and its CEO Greg Wyler are committed to connecting the billions of &#8220;unconnected or underconnected&#8221; people around the world. In June, OneWeb received approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) <a href="https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-345467A1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">to access the United States satellite market</a> using 720 low-Earth orbit satellites — these satellites will utilize the<a href="http://www.getconnected.aero/2017/09/lkuka-band-satellites-mean/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Ka (20/30 GHz) and Ku (11/14</a><br />
GHz) frequency bands to provide global Internet connectivity.</p>
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<p>This isn&#8217;t even the full extent of the company&#8217;s plans. <a href="http://www.oneweb.world/#use" target="_blank" rel="noopener">As their website explains</a> they wish to use 900 satellites, building 3 per day <a href="https://advanced-television.com/2017/03/17/oneweb-breaks-ground-on-2000-satellite-factory/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at their satellite factory in Exploration Park, Florida</a>.</p>
<p>&#8220;Those affected by hurricanes, earthquakes and refugee situations are often abruptly without infrastructure,&#8221; explains the company&#8217;s website. &#8220;OneWeb will bridge these gaps providing instantly deployable connectivity or long-term access solutions.&#8221;</p>
<h2>Gigabit Internet in 2021</h2>
<p>As reported by <i><a href="https://www.ft.com/content/71c123b4-705f-11e7-93ff-99f383b09ff9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Financial Times</a></i>, OneWeb will launch the first 10 satellites early next year, with <i>Fierce Wireless</i> reporting OneWeb will be using their own rockets for the task. Following the initial launch, broadband services are expected to be offered in Alaska in 2019, then expanded to more people in 2020.</p>
<p>Speaking before the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee,<a href="http://spacenews.com/spacex-oneweb-detail-constellation-plans-to-congress/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wyler said</a>: “Our second constellation planned, for 2021, will enable ultra-high speeds beyond 2.5 gigabits per second — faster than fiber — direct to <a href="https://futurism.com/microsoft-is-bringing-affordable-broadband-internet-to-rural-america/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">every rural home</a> using a small lightweight antenna.”</p>
<p>He added that by 2027, OneWeb intends to fully bridge the digital divide with an investment of nearly $30 billion.</p>
<p>&#8220;Our network is everyone’s network,&#8221; continues the OneWeb website. &#8220;Our system can provide access to health centers, schools, libraries, and homes through our low cost user terminal, ensuring relief to communities in need, tools to drive education, access to knowledge, and opportunities for local businesses. It’s all part of our mission to connect the world.&#8221;</p>


The company has outlined plans to launch 900 satellites over the next decade.

With hundreds of new low-orbit Satellites, OneWeb promises to bridge the digital divide

OneWeb is preparing to launch a constellation of low orbit satellites in a bid to connect the whole world to the net and bridge the global digital divide.

With Hundreds of New Low-Orbit Satellites, OneWeb Promises to Bridge the Digital Divide

By 2021, the company wants to provide 2.5 gigabits per second to every rural home.

<h2>Right to Broadband</h2>
<p>The United Kingdom has vowed to make access to broadband speed internet a legal right for its citizens. Earlier this year, the passage of the Digital Economy Act ensured that by 2020, all residents of the UK will have the right to demand broadband service at speeds of at least 10 Mbps (compromised down from 30 Mbps) through a provision in the law called the Universal Service Obligation. Specific details on how the government would ensure this, however, are not included in the law.</p>
<p>In response to this provision, one of the UK&#8217;s <a href="http://home.bt.com/">largest broadband providers</a>, BT, promised to abide by the goal and pledged to spend upwards of £600 million (more than $800 million) to extend service into the hardest to reach rural areas of the country. However, an announcement from the government states that they intend to go the regulatory route to ensure compliance.</p>
<p>&#8220;We know how important broadband is to homes and businesses and we want everyone to benefit from a fast and reliable connection. We are grateful to BT for their proposal but have decided that only a regulatory approach will make high-speed broadband a reality for everyone in the UK, regardless of where they live or work,&#8221; said Culture Secretary Karen Bradley.</p>
<figure style="width: 668px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="wp-image-116309 size-large aligncenter" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2017/12/Broadband-internet-solutions.jpg" alt="Image source: Creative Commons/Tmthetom" width="668" height="258" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Image source: Creative Commons/Tmthetom</figcaption></figure>
<h2>Across the Pond</h2>
<p>The decision by the UK government to pursue codifying regulations over simply holding corporations to promises — which ensures that protections will be in place for its citizens, free from the whims of corporate interests — stands in stark contrast to the recent events surrounding the <a href="https://futurism.com/ny-attorney-general-fcc-net-neutrality/">repeal of net neutrality</a> rules by the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) in the United States.</p>
<p>Comcast, one of the largest telecom corporations in the U.S., used to have a <a href="https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2017/11/comcast-deleted-net-neutrality-pledge-the-same-day-fcc-announced-repeal/">net neutrality pledge</a> promising &#8220;no paid prioritization.&#8221; That is until the FCC first unveiled its plans to eliminate the Obama-era protections. The phrasing was eliminated immediately after the announcement.</p>
<p>Throughout the duration of the fight leading up to the final FCC vote, net neutrality advocates had been urging Congress to codify the regulations into law. This would have ensured that three votes <span>wouldn&#8217;t have been able to turn the tide of the</span> internet so resoundingly in favor of massive telecoms — and against the will and best interest of the people.</p>


"We know how important broadband is to homes and businesses and we want everyone to benefit from a fast and reliable connection."

The UK just decided that 10 Mbps broadband should be a legal right

The UK's decision to pursue codifying regulations stands in stark contrast to the FCC's repeal of net neutrality rules in the US.

The UK Just Decided That 10 Mbps Broadband Should be a Legal Right

As the US rolls back internet freedom, the UK takes another path. 

<h2>Laser Internet</h2>
<p>In Andhra Pradesh, a southeast state in India, a subsidiary of Alphabet called simply &#8220;X&#8221; might soon be <a href="http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/infrastructure/a14442469/alphabet-lasers-internet-india/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">delivering the internet with lasers</a>. According to the company, they aim to provide &#8220;fiber optic cable, but without the cable.&#8221; The technology that makes this all happen is called <a href="https://blog.x.company/exploring-a-new-approach-to-connectivity-861a0159f63e" target="_blank" rel="noopener">free space optical communications (FSOC) technology</a>.</p>
<p>To accomplish this ambitious task, X will work with AP State FiberNet, a telecom company owned entirely by the Andhra Pradesh government. X will create two thousand FSOC links, which use beams of laser light instead of traditional cables to deliver the internet over long distances. While it may seem dicey, this method is capable of being equally reliable and potentially superior to cabled delivery.</p>
<figure id="attachment_115840" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="hoverZoomLink wp-image-115840 size-large" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2017/12/internetaccess-1200x800.jpg" alt="A hand scrolls down the screen of a tablet, with a computer in the background. Laser internet delivery could bring this level of access to everyone." width="1200" height="800" /><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">(Image Credit: fancycrave1/Pixabay)</figcaption></figure>
<p>Baris Erkman, FSOC lead at X, stated <a href="https://blog.x.company/exploring-a-new-approach-to-connectivity-861a0159f63e?gi=4634c55c3f83">in a Medium post</a> that &#8220;because there’s no cable, this means there’s none of the time, cost, and hassle involved in digging trenches or stringing cable along poles. FSOC boxes can simply be placed kilometers apart on roofs or towers, with the signal beamed directly between the boxes to easily traverse common obstacles like rivers, roads and railways.&#8221;</p>
<h2>A Changing Internet</h2>
<p>Andhra Pradesh is currently home to Hyderabad, one of India&#8217;s most influential tech cities. Within the state there is <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/03/18/andhra-pradesh-government_n_9494376.html">some of the cheapest broadband</a> access that exists globally; however, there are still many areas throughout India that are without regular internet access, and an estimated 900 million people are still without regular broadband access. As the UN now <a href="https://www.wired.com/2011/06/internet-a-human-right/">classifies internet access as a human right</a>, many are working to increase access. This need will only grow as, in 2024, Hyderabad will no longer be a part of Andhra Pradesh due to the creation of a new state, which will lower connectivity and access.</p>
<p>The state hopes that, with the introduction of laser delivery technology and the adoption of cable-less internet, 12 million households and thousands of government organizations and businesses will have broadband internet by 2019.</p>
<p>This development signals two things. First, it shows how states and governments are taking more serious actions to increase broadband access around the world. Secondly, it shows how rapidly <a href="https://futurism.com/internet-delivering-balloons-puerto-rico/">internet delivery technology</a> is evolving. Fiber optic cables might have seemed like an ideal method a few years ago, but laser internet could be the next standard of access.</p>


With no poles or cables required, laser-delivered internet can be beamed over obstacles like rivers and roads.

Laser-delivered internet could be a game changer for millions of Indian citizens

Robots & Machines

Across India, there are large gaps in Internet access. A subsidiary of Google's Alphabet is hoping to change that through laser internet service.

Laser-Delivered Internet Could be a Game Changer for Millions of Indian Citizens

Alphabet will deliver "fiber optic cable, but without the cable."

<h5>Phone Home</h5>
<p>NASA recently launched their Optical Communications and Sensor Demonstration (OCSD) CubeSat and successfully received communication that it is now in orbit. This is the first step in transmitting broadband through space. Although it won’t be a replacement to NASA’s current communication networks, the CubeSat network has the potential to bring speeds of up to 200Mbps and open up fast transfers between Earth and space.</p>
<h5><a href="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2015/10/cubesat11.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-7706" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2015/10/cubesat11-300x214.jpg" alt="cubesat1" width="300" height="214" /></a></h5>
<h5>Skyboxes</h5>
<p>While NASA has tested other broadband satellite communications before, what sets the CubeSat network apart is that it provides faster speeds in a smaller package. These miniaturized satellites typically have a 1 liter volume and a mass of no more than 1.33 kilograms. This technology makes CubeSats incredibly versatile and can used from deep-space communication to satellite alignment. NASA will continue to launch more CubeSats over the atmosphere as they test their ability to send and receive information between Earth and their network of CubeSats.</p>


Off World

NASA has successfully completed the first step towards delivering 200Mbps broadband internet from space with the CubeSat Network.

/Broadband

Future Society

Super-Local Broadband May Be The Best Way to Preserve Net Neutrality

Future Society

With Hundreds of New Low-Orbit Satellites, OneWeb Promises to Bridge the Digital Divide

Future Society

The UK Just Decided That 10 Mbps Broadband Should be a Legal Right

Robots & Machines

Laser-Delivered Internet Could be a Game Changer for Millions of Indian Citizens

Off World

NASA starts testing broadband in space with small satellites

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