Wireless communication basic need of Dutch people

Written by Jelmer van der Linden on December 07, 2016

It is impossible to imagine life without the Internet, from mobile Internet to contactless payments; we cannot really do without it in our society. The government has therefore determined that wireless communication can be seen as a basic need. This is stated in the 2016 frequency policy memorandum sent to the Lower House by our Minister of Economic Affairs today.

"Without wireless internet, our society stagnates"

"Wireless communication has evolved over the past decade from an option on your computer or phone to a basic need. Without this technology, our economy stagnates. The need of consumers and businesses for services through wireless communication, will only increase in the coming years. This is why the government is going to ensure a more efficient use of the available frequencies for wireless communication so that this basic need can continue to be met in the future."- Minister Kamp, Economic Affairs

Let's take a look at what else the government thinks falls under the basic needs of a Dutchman;

Food
(Clean) drinking water
Clothing
Shelter
Education
Health care

The last two are actually called basic rights instead of basic needs by the government, you don't need them first but you do need them for your self-development and to be able to be helped when you are sick." [caption id="attachment_62948" align="aligncenter" width="819"] Draadloze internet basisbehoefte van Nederlanders

Draadloze internet basisbehoefte van Nederlanders

Wireless internet basic need of Dutch people[/caption] The fact that wireless internet is now also seen as a basic need says a lot. The question is whether it is justified, after all, in Africa most people cannot yet meet the aforementioned basic need but in our modern society forms of communication are now also seen as a 'basic need'. Of course it is nice if you can send a whatsapp to your friend or that you can post a picture on Facebook, but is wireless internet as important as clean drinking water? This is something that may be considered.

Wireless internet coverage

The Netherlands now has a global lead when it comes to the availability and speed of wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi and 4G. As one of the few European countries, the Netherlands is among the top-ten in the world in terms of both coverage and speed of mobile Internet (4G). Research commissioned by the European Commission shows that the Netherlands currently has over 99% coverage. So where are the gaps in terms of coverage now? Well, according toearlier researchthis year, this is the case in dozens of Dutch villages. Drenthe and Noord-Brabant, in particular, are said to have poorer mobile coverage. By including wireless Internet as a basic need, the government wants to ensure that wireless Internet is offered properly everywhere. In this way, the government can ensure that requirements about the coverage of a wireless network are laid down in permits. And this in turn requires expanding the role of theRadiocommunications Agency, allowing it to mediate faults. If failures cannot be resolved then "binding instructions" can then be awarded to providers. Likewise, the Netherlands Radiocommunications Agency will take action to reduce interference.

Discussion

In the Netherlands, there is still a large proportion of people who do not know the care they need and also, for example, the number of children caught between fighting divorces continues to grow. Now, however, watching Netflix comes among the list of basic needs. The question is whether it should be. So we would like to steer a discussion here. Do you think wireless Internet fits among basic needs, and if yes or no, why?