When we talk about “broadband” as a utility isn’t the real utility we are talking about “data”? When we talk about common, taken-for-granted utilities like electricity or water we never talk/think about them as “wire” or “pipe” access. In the 1930s we didn’t have the Rural Wire Administration.

 

Would positioning the issue of broadband access as data access change the discussion? 

 

It seems we’re focused on the technology, the means, and not the end. Is data too geeky for people to get their heads around?