FCC commissioners disagree over whether Internet access is a “necessity”

When Commissioner Michael O'Rielly of the Federal Communications Commission argued in June that "Internet access is not a necessity or human right," fellow FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn took notice. In a speech at a policy conference, she listed numerous reasons why Internet access really is necessary in the modern age. This could be seen as just a debate over semantics. Commissioner O'Rielly doesn't argue that Internet access is unimportant, rather he says the word "'necessity" should be reserved to those items that humans cannot live without, such as food, shelter, and water.

Commissioner Clyburn pointed out that the FCC is required to make sure everyone in the US has affordable broadband access. "Not only is the Internet a necessity today, but Congress actually directed the FCC to ensure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to advanced communications services," she said. "Congress also directed that such access should be affordable... we are mandated to close the digital divide." "Let me warn you, any proposed transition will not come easy, for there are those who publicly proclaim that Internet access is “not a necessity,” Commissioner Clyburn said. "Those who cannot afford broadband can just go to the library, some often say," she continued. "Now, I am proud of the work the FCC has done through our E-rate program to help ensure that our schools and libraries have robust broadband and Wi-Fi. But we should not be satisfied if the library is the sole means by which an entire community can get broadband, particularly when there are no options for connectivity once the library closes for the day."