Question

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?

A) Yes, and no additional information is needed.
B) No, and no additional information is needed.
C) Yes, but more information about the level of private provision is needed.
D) No, and more information about the cost structure is needed.

Answer 1

No, The answer will be D) No, and more information about the cost structure is needed.

Whether or not the infrastructure for high-speed Internet connections should be considered a public good depends on whether it meets the two key characteristics of a public good:

One person's use of the infrastructure does not diminish the ability of others to use it. It is difficult or impossible to exclude people from using the infrastructure, even if they don't pay for it.

So, the columnist argues that the infrastructure for high-speed Internet connections is a public good because it is non-rivalrous and non-excludable. However, there is some debate about whether this is true.