Broadband tax on the way?

[Arthur Little]

Only those of us using the internet would pay for the upgrades.

But how can it be determined WHO'S using the internet ... and who ISN'T?

[darren-b]

Agree, its a tax that will only benefit large population areas. Where I live, BT have the monopoly as the ADSL supplier (i.e. no cable, no LLU, nothing, just BT ADSL) and having spoken to Talk Talk and 02, they have no plans to install their own gear in such a small exchange, and I doubt Virgin will either. Even Aberystwyth, considered to be the cultural capital of Wales, the home of the UWA and now some Welsh Assembly offices, also only has BT ADSL, nothing else. Its going to take more than a feeble £5 tax.

Just reading more and it's the opposite. It's a tax that will benefit the rural areas (about a third of the country) where it is not economically viable to install the next generation networks. So you ought to be totally supporting it.

But how can it be determined WHO'S using the internet ... and who ISN'T?

I think Northerner means it's paid for those who are currently paying for the internet.

I ought to be totally against the tax as I pay for my phone line though I don't pay for my broadband, and I currently live in an area that is economically viable to install the next generation networks. But I can see the point of it if it's used correctly.