FCC eyes tax on Internet service

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EmptyTimCup

Guest
FCC eyes tax on Internet service


The Federal Communications Commission is eyeing a proposal to tax broadband Internet service.

The move would funnel money to the Connect America Fund, a subsidy the agency created last year to expand Internet access.

The FCC issued a request for comments on the proposal in April. Dozens of companies and trade associations have weighed in, but the issue has largely flown under the public's radar.

"If members of Congress understood that the FCC is contemplating a broadband tax, they'd sit up and take notice," said Derek Turner, research director for Free Press, a consumer advocacy group that opposes the tax.

Numerous companies, including AT&T, Sprint and even Google have expressed support for the idea.

Consumers already pay a fee on their landline and cellular phone bills to support the FCC's Universal Service Fund. The fund was created to ensure that everyone in the country has access to telephone service, even if they live in remote areas.

Last year, the FCC overhauled a $4.5 billion portion of the Universal Service Fund and converted it into a broadband Internet subsidy, called the Connect America Fund. The new fund aims to subsidize the construction of high-speed Internet networks to the estimated 19 million Americans who currently lack access.
:geek:



:cds:




OMG - lets TAX everyone - MORE - on their internet connection, because 19 million Americans Do Not Have ACCESS





Julius Genachowski, the FCC's chairman, has made expanding broadband access his top priority. He argues that a high-speed Internet connection is critical for succeeding in the 21st century economy and that expanding Internet access is the country's next great infrastructure challenge.

But the money for the new Internet subsidy is still coming from the fees on phone bills.

And in recent years, with more people sending emails instead of making long-distance phone calls, the money flowing into the program has begun to dry up. The Universal Service fee has had to grow to a larger and larger portion of phone bills to compensate.



like Oregon losing Gasoline TAX Money, because cars are more Fuel Efficient
 

bcp

In My Opinion
Is it just me or is anyone else pretty much reaching then end of their ability to show compassion with new taxes on everything to make sure the poor have the same stuff for free.

I am still waiting for a tax on million dollar sports cars that will be used to put one in my driveway for free.. Its only fair, since I dont have the education, the skill sets or the drive to make the money myself, somebody else needs to buy me one so I can be equal and not embarrassed by driving my truck.
 
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