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South Korea introduces universal basic mobile data access

theregister.com

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Re: South Korea introduces universal basic mobile data access

#101

Post by hsbauauvhabzb »

Part of me is all for this but I also get the knee jerk reaction of ‘if something is free, you’re the product’

What’s in this for the for profit companies? wouldn’t this cannibalize sales to the demographics that would be buying a cheap prepaid plan if it doesn’t already exist?

Maybe i live less chronically online (but still on my phone) than most, but having spent a few weeks in Japan. I’ll assume prices are similar due to localities, similar-enough cultures and densities. My partner and I shared a 3gb SIM and wifi tethering because of the pricing and lack of need for on demand data (we download movies to our devices when on a high speed networks). I would be fine on 400kpbs while away from hotels and public wifi, and I imagine many tourists will be in the same boat, killing a lucrative segment of the market.

Re: South Korea introduces universal basic mobile data access

#103

Post by andrekandre »

DaiPlusPlus wrote: post #98
SecretDreams wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I completely agree with this sentiment. Good luck getting anything like that locked, sadly.

[flagged]

there are many democrats who would block such a thing as well.

historically there is always the one or two who (perhaps too conveniently?) block or water down legislation: joe lieberman against public option [0], two democrats block student debt relief [1], the dynamic duo of manchin and sinema blocking voting rights legislation and build back better [2] [3]...

you don't need to blame republicans for democrats sabotaging themselves over and over.

[0] https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2009/12/joe-liebermans-...

[1] https://www.businessinsider.com/which-democrats-voted-to-blo...

[2] https://apnews.com/article/biden-voting-rights-bill-collapse...

[3] https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/manchin-says-he-no...

Re: South Korea introduces universal basic mobile data access

#105

Post by stepanhruda »

andrekandre wrote: post #103
DaiPlusPlus wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

there are many democrats who would block such a thing as well. historically there is always the one or two who (perhaps too conveniently?) block or water down legislation: joe lieberman against public option [0], two democrats block student debt relief [1], the dynamic duo of manchin and sinema blocking voting rights legislation and build back better [2] [3]... you don't need to blame republicans for democrats sabota…

If the margins weren’t so razor thin, it wouldn’t happen

Re: South Korea introduces universal basic mobile data access

#106

Post by linkregister »

andrekandre wrote: post #103
DaiPlusPlus wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

[flagged]

there are many democrats who would block such a thing as well. historically there is always the one or two who (perhaps too conveniently?) block or water down legislation: joe lieberman against public option [0], two democrats block student debt relief [1], the dynamic duo of manchin and sinema blocking voting rights legislation and build back better [2] [3]... you don't need to blame republicans for democrats sabota…

Lieberman and Sinema are great examples of quixotic people who weren't even representing their constituents' wishes. They're legitimate targets of criticism and intra-party competition through being primaried or losing access to fund raising.

Manchin also didn't represent his constituents' wishes, but in the other direction on the political axis. The Democratic caucus won many votes it otherwise would not have, if a Republican was occupying the seat. If the Democratic party is serious about gaining and holding power, it needs to accept that some seats are tenuously held. Legislators in those seats need to be able to break with the party line to satisfy their constituents.

Ironically, Manchin attempted to include permitting reform, which would allow renewables and utility projects the same latitude that oil & gas projects enjoy. However, Democratic party stalwarts blocked the proposal.

Re: South Korea introduces universal basic mobile data access

#107

Post by timoshishi »

smugma wrote: post #41
KellyCriterion wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But to really reach the poor people, you would also need to deploy phones, not only data/traffic/WiFi: For sure for lot of people 10-20 USD monthly bill is already too high, but buying a phone that is somehow not outdated and capable of running all the apps needed, this is a much higher barrier (of lets say 200-300 USD for a somehow solid phone that will last some time9

In SF, I commonly see homeless people with cell phones

California provides free phones and phone service to those who qualify through the California Lifeline program

Re: South Korea introduces universal basic mobile data access

#109

Post by jiggunjer »

bobthepanda wrote: post #38
Leomuck wrote: post #4

Crazy, I've never heard of such a plan anywhere. But given how essential the internet is to everything we do on a daily basis, that makes a lot of sense. However, I would like to see the existing situation that lead to this decision. Were there many people who couldn't do things anymore due to lacking internet access? Was there public pressure to do this or did they just think it a good idea? My assumption so far was…

Even in the US which is well behind SK in the digital curve, I’ve heard anecdotally that a huge problem with reintegrating some populations like the homeless, poor or elderly is that job applications are virtually all online now.

This, and owning a bank account, filing taxes, paying bills are all moving to internet only.

Some coffee shops in china you can't even order or pay without their app.

Re: South Korea introduces universal basic mobile data access

#110

Post by jiggunjer »

sugarkjube wrote: post #77
Leomuck wrote: post #4

Crazy, I've never heard of such a plan anywhere. But given how essential the internet is to everything we do on a daily basis, that makes a lot of sense. However, I would like to see the existing situation that lead to this decision. Were there many people who couldn't do things anymore due to lacking internet access? Was there public pressure to do this or did they just think it a good idea? My assumption so far was…

> But given how essential the internet is to everything we do on a daily basis, that makes a lot of sense. Well, water is certainly more essential, yet it isn't free. Food isn't free. Shelter isn't free. Besides, the services you'd use over this free connection aren't (necessarily) free. Its not unreasonable to suspect some other agenda, like easier propaganda, subsidising of social media, ...

Actually food water and shelter are free to those who can't afford it in many developed countries.
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