Well, I'm under 65 (but not by much) and am retired. I firmly believe we need a big push to make broadband universal. It is the future. I believe it should be looked at like a utility. I am old enough to remember not having a phone. And my grandparents did not have electricity for a long time (because they live in the country).
Those of us who are older do (or should) remember how the infrastructure we all rely on was built. The government had to mandate that electricity service, roads, bus service and rail service be provided to all areas. Otherwise people who lived in the lower population areas were just left out. There is no ROI for companies to build out their infrastructure to less populated/poorer areas because not enough people will/can afford it.
I know it seems like a lot to spend now but it will bear fruit for our children and grandchildren. If our country had the same attitude 50 years ago as it has now we would not have the same road system, phone system, water system, etc we all enjoy now.
One does not have to be old or young to know something is needed, one simply must be forward thinking and not selfish. Just because it is something I currently already have or don't see the need for does not mean I do not see the universal need. The future of our country depends on how we prepare. Universal broadband is one of those things that will serve all of us well - now and in the future.
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