Electricity and water was mandated at the time the government mostly did right by the people and wasn't yet (fully) captured by corporate interests. By the time the internet arrived this was no longer the case.
No. Water and electricity were not mandated in a magical past where the government was awesome. The government has been captured by corporations and special interests forever. The level of corruption in the 1800s was astronomical compared to today.
People fought for those rights. Often literally. And they still don't exist in some places.
Arkansas just passed a law that you need a working roof, electricity, heat and water, in 2021.
So no. Sitting around lamenting a past that never existed won't get us anywhere.