From those “progressive” Finns (this, by the way, is what happens when you live in such close proximity to those “progressive” Swedes):

FAST INTERNET ACCESS BECOMES A LEGAL RIGHT IN FINLAND

Finland has become the first country in the world to declare broadband Internet access a legal right. The move by Finland is aimed at bringing Web access to rural areas, where access has been limited.

Starting in July, telecommunication companies in the northern European nation will be required to provide all 5.2 million citizens with Internet connection that runs at speeds of at least 1 megabit per second.* The one-megabit mandate, however, is simply an intermediary step, said Laura Vilkkonen, the legislative counselor for the Ministry of Transport and Communications. The country is aiming for speeds that are 100 times faster — 100 megabit per second — for all by 2015.

“We think it’s something you cannot live without [emphasis mine] in modern society. Like banking services [You stop laughing RIGHT NOW you LRC reader you!] or water or electricity, you need Internet connection,” Vilkkonen said.

“…something you cannot live without…”: Food. Clothing. Shelter. INTERNET CONNECTION????!!!! (I would have thought that s-e-x would have been fourth. Or maybe even third. Or maybe even second. Or maybe even…)

[Thanks to Travis Holte]
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*Why just “speeds of at least 1 megabit per second”? My own internet connection runs at only 726kpbs, yet I seem to be living just fine without the “minimum” speed of 1 megabit per second. This minimum speed assumption on the part of the Finns is the same economically destructive nonsense as the belief in a “minimum” wage.