NO SUCH THING Should the internet be a public utility?
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Feb 25, 2026 
Emily Stewart, senior correspondent at Business Insider, explains how internet infrastructure, last-mile problems, and antitrust shape service options. Rachel Askenazi, journalist and founder of Throwing Spaghetti Media, shares personal ISP battle stories. They discuss why cable incumbents dominate, whether 5G or municipal broadband can change things, and how other countries handle access.
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Hosts Describe Real-Life Wi‑Fi Failures
- Rachel Askenazi and Devan Joseph both shared personal struggles with spotty Wi‑Fi and rooms with no signal.
- Rachel described constant dropouts and rooms the signal "doesn't reach," illustrating everyday pain.
Door Knockers Sell Service That Isn't Available
- Noah and Devan reported door-to-door reps offering service they couldn't actually provide.
- Emily and hosts called this a marketing tactic where reps collect expressions of interest despite no local coverage.
Frame Broadband As Infrastructure When Advocating
- Treat internet like the mail or another quasi-public service when advocating policy reform.
- Emily Stewart suggests framing access as infrastructure so municipalities or subsidies can be used to widen service.