This post was last updated on March 13, 2026
Added March 12, 2026: 20 years later broadband internet access is much better. But availability is still an issue. Maps like this one at the FCC are very useful for finding access, but may not be accurate at the street address level.
The Wikipedia definition is a bit sparse, but universal service is the idea the everyone should have access to telecommunications. Classically this idea has only been applied to basic telephone service, it’s why 99% of the United States has the ability to have a land line telephone.
This Slashdot discussion talks about the problems with broadband on America. The US is now 16th in the world in broadband use per capita. Other countries see the benefits of broadband why not the US? Broadband access is the newest facet of the digital divide. And the US as a country is on the wrong side of it.
i think it’s very cool. it is neat to get different perspecives on things like that.
Are you talking hardline high=speed access, or also including wireless access?
Do you suppose we will go full on wireless in the near future? I think it’s actually coming within a couple of decades, perhaps several.
Wireless is definitely included, in high speed service. I think wireless has proved itself during the post hurricane relief efforts. Often the first type of communications restored has been wireless internet.
I don’t think we’ll ever go fully wireless, there are some situations where wires make sense. But wireless will be the way most people connect eventually.