What’s the value of internet access?
Let’s see how your internet service stacks up against other utilities.
As a result of paying your electricity bill you get power. Pay for propane and you get heat. Your city water service provides you with clean water to drink, bathe, and cook.
What does internet provide?
- access to telehealth
- online classes/education
- working remotely
- banking and investing services
- running a business
- home monitoring/security
- streaming TV shows, music, movies
- social connections (email, social
media, video chats) - economic development activities
- securing public/social services
- home and vehicle sales
- online gaming
- shopping for groceries and goods
- applying and interviewing for a job
- retail services (inventory, ordering,
point of sale, etc.) - transferring and storing files
- researching
- starting a business or hobby
- reading books
- uploading videos
- paying bills and ironically…
- monitoring and regulating utilities
like electricity, propane, water, etc.
As for the cost… here’s what the average household in Minnesota pays for utilities a month:
