INDUSTRY NEWS
18 June 2009
Home users may be forced to pay 'broadband tax'
British homes and businesses could be called upon to pay a fixed-rate 'broadband tax' in order to help fund the next-generation of internet connections.
Under plans being considered by the government, a special 50p monthly levy would be rolled out between now and 2012 with the aim of it going towards generating the £1.5 billion needed to ensure the UK can compete with other nations when it comes to broadband speeds.
In addition, the plans, which have been laid out in the new 'Digital Britain' report by communications minister Lord Carter, also call on the BBC to give a portion of its licence fee to pay for improvements to the UK internet infrastructure.
ISPs have argued that they are struggling to cope with rising demand for streamed content from applications such as the broadcaster's iPlayer.
However, the BBC has already stated its opposition to such a development.
"This would lead to the licence fee being seen as another form of general taxation," argued BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons.
The government plans to make speeds of up to 50mbps available to all of the country by 2017. <br/>
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