A columnist for the Wall Street Journal argued that highspeed Internet connections are now a public good: “We’re going to have to transition to the building of public infrastructure and away from the revolution being the domain of private enterprise. It’s not enough for Google to roll out high-speed fiber to a handful of cities.”
a. In what ways is the infrastructure for high-speed Internet connections like automobile highways? In what ways is it different from highways?
b. As of 2017, private firms have constructed most of the infrastructure for high-speed Internet connections, while governments have constructed most highways. Is it still possible that the infrastructure for high-speed Internet connections is a public good despite this fact? Briefly explain.
c. Do you agree with the columnist that we should think of the infrastructure for high-speed Internet connections as being like a public good? Is there any information you would need to know before deciding?