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back to article UN wants two-thirds of the world online by 2015

Freedom to communicate is a human right – as is having a broadband connection, the UN said today. The global organisation, usually hell-bent on achieving world peace, argued that it would be quite nice if 60 per cent of the world had access to the net by 2015. Governments should lift taxes on ICT services and free up radio …

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  1. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Fat Chance

    I support a school in a very rural part of Madagascar. They are not on the electricity grid let alone having internet.

    There is no leccy in the village.

    The average wage is $30/month.

    The nearest Hospital is 100km/3hours by 4x4 away.

    Can the UN please explain how these places (and there a lot of them in the world) are going to get on the internet in a way they can afford?

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    1. AdamWill
      Reply Icon

      yes

      solar or generator-powered satellite backhaul, and cellphones. there's actually quite a lot of places in africa that are 'on the net' that aren't on the grid, already.

      and it is a very good thing to do if you can. *especially* if the nearest hospital is three hours away; remote help for a local village doctor is hardly as good as a hospital but it's better than a hospital you can't _get_ to.

      those crazy, peace-loving loons at the UN do *occasionally* have a point.

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  2. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Q Conspiracy theorists

    That is all

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  3. yoinkster
    Trollface

    If having broadband is considered a human right then does that mean the DEA is (will be) in breach when people start getting cut off?

    What about the Scottish Highlands, aren't they broadbandless? Could I move there and sue BT/the gubbermint for breaching my human rights?

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  4. Will Godfrey Silver badge
    Meh

    Translation - The UN wants an effective way to watch *everyone*

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  5. Francis Boyle Silver badge

    Hygiene

    Code for "realising you don't have to have your clitoris chopped off" (among other things).

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  6. Anonymous Coward
    Anonymous Coward

    Is it also a human right...

    ... to have that 'net connection not be censored in any way or form?

    Just askin', n'mind me, and don't bother I gots me coat already, thanks.

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  7. Anonymous Coward
    FAIL

    How about we get 2/3 of the world a DECENT JOB first?

    Then maybe we can think about getting them in the Internet.

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  8. Lockwood

    "Will code websites for food" takes on a whole new meaning.

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  9. Anonymous Coward
    WTF?

    India

    ... Has a lot of the world's poorest people.

    ... Has one of the world's highest broadband costs.

    What's the UN going to do about it?

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  10. All names Taken
    Paris Hilton

    UN got no chance in Europe

    Heck, any one recall Galileo?

    The European GPS system scheduled for oh, must be at least 10 years ago.

    Remember the EuroFighter (was that what it was called?)

    The EuroCash Crisis ...

    So (interim conclusion): don't expect any fast, quick or immediate decisions in this part of the world

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