TalkTalk has been scathing about Downing Street's plans for rural broadband
TalkTalk attacks government's broadband tax plans
/v3-uk/news/1985315/talktalk-attacks-governments-broadband-tax-plans
02 Nov 2009, Phil Muncaster , V3
Internet service provider TalkTalk has stepped up its criticism of the government, this time attacking plans to add 50p per month to all phone bills to fund next-generation broadband networks in rural areas.
Charles Dunstone, chief executive of TalkTalk, the second largest consumer broadband provider in the UK, described the tax as "unjust and regressive", claiming that it will serve only to subsidise richer households that can afford superfast broadband anyway.
"As well as being unfair we estimate that the increase in price will mean that more than 100,000 mostly low income homes will be forced to give up their broadband lines. This is wholly inconsistent with the government's plans to tackle digital exclusion by increasing the uptake and use of broadband," he said.
"Crucially the scheme is likely to delay next-generation broadband rollouts in rural areas rather than hasten it, as private investors will wait for public funds to be made available. This will mean that much of the tax will be wasted investing in networks that the private sector would have built anyway."
Andrew Heaney, director of strategy and regulation at TalkTalk, will give evidence to the BIS Committee later today to outline the company's concerns that the government is dodging public debate on the tax.
The attack comes hot on the heels of TalkTalk's outspoken criticism of Lord Mandelson's proposed three strikes rule for cutting off the internet connections of persistent illegal file sharers.
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Do you agree?
Tax on Landlines
I have not heard many people who said they will cancel their land line telephone when the tax starts but I have heard two. Multiply that by other people who have said they will cancel and it will amount to 1000's
Posted by Wyndham Jones, 02 Nov 2009
Excessive taxes in the UK are killing off businesses
Excessive taxes in the UK are killing off businesses due to this government?s proven total lack of ability to handle the money it gets from revenues.
Reduce all Taxes and promote growth, if you do not, the results will hit like a whirlwind of further finical devastation and job losses.
Excessive taxation is crippling the UK?s ability to recover as it is.
Signed Carl Barron Chairman of agpcuk
Posted by Carl Barron, 02 Nov 2009
3 STRIKE RULE and TAXES ARE KILLING BUSINESSES
I feel that Lord M,s 3 strike rule will leave many a household without internet connections,mobile phones,so we,ll all be on letter writing again as a lot of people i know do download a lot and generate company profits in the process,therefore if this goes through many people will just say blow it and forgo mobiles,internet access(which is slow even on broadband) UP to 20 download speed?It should be FROM 20 download speed,so lets set a standard from the start.
As for Carl's remarks about taxes killing businesses,i agree with him the taxes are too high,and should be reduced or removed altogether,then there would be no need to subsidise this and that.
Just reduce the tax to become affordable for people to buy as it will generate a massive income on its own.
Yes taxes generate income for government and we all have to pay them in some form or another,but its becoming more and more expensive because of rising taxes,costs of all sorts for people to buy here.
I have to go abroad to buy a mobile phone because there isnt one available of the type and specification available here,which i find is a bit of a joke living in a hi tec country,and ive looked believe me!!
I live in a rural area where internet and landlines are not as good as in city,so 3 strike rule would leave me without phones,internet,mobile.
Posted by david childs, 12 Nov 2009