At present, we know of no example of the user paying directly to the device operator for Internet access through either type of device. The operator accepts the costs on the grounds that costs elsewhere will go down or service levels will improve or third parties will contribute through advertising or transaction charges. Examples are local authorities supplying access in libraries as an educational service and the DfEE using kiosks in Job Centres to reduce costs and to increase effectiveness. This raises the important issue of motivation for both operators and users. We know that operators have to find an economic model which justifies offering the service to their users.
Operators have to be in contemplation of new income or reduced costs.
Governmental bodies can add improved service but rarely at the risk of increasing taxes. Complementary motivations have to attach to the user. It is all too easy to conjure up systems which will regrettably fail to justify their inception. We urge the Committee to recognise the difficulties in balancing fairness and inclusion for all with the individual advantage and gain which must motivate the pioneering users. The second important issue is that of service availability.