WarlordZeroOne
06-17-2009, 04:55 AM
New phone tax will pay for broadband
10 hours 33 mins ago
Print Story Householders face a "broadband tax" to pay for internet access to be extended nationwide. Skip related content
Related photos / videos MPs told the BBC may have to share the licence fee Play video MPs told the BBC may have to share the licence fee Play video Long awaited Digital Britain report due Play video BBC could be forced to share licence fee
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BBC could be forced to share licence fee
Video: MPs told the BBC may have to share the licence fee
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Have your say: Gordon Brown
The £6-a-year levy on fixed phone lines - generating up to £175 million a year - would subsidise the cost of installing next-generation broadband networks in areas where they would not otherwise be economically viable.
The proposal was included in the Government's wide-ranging Digital Britain report, which also suggested using part of the TV licence fee to pay for ITV local news and other programmes on non-BBC channels.
Every home and business in the UK will have access to at least 2 megabits per second (2Mbps) broadband by 2012, under the plans.
This will be paid for using £200 million in public money, in part from leftover funds in the licence fee-financed scheme to help elderly and disabled people switch to digital TV.
The report also proposed using cash from the licence fee to fund consortia of regional news providers to replace the current ITV service.
From 2013 about 3.5 per cent of the fee - around £130 million a year - could be allocated to public service programmes on non-BBC channels, in particular ITV regional news and shows for children.
BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said in a statement: "On behalf of licence fee payers, the BBC Trust opposes top-slicing. The licence fee has a clear aim, clear benefits, is clearly understood and has stood the test of time.
"Top-slicing would damage BBC output, reduce accountability and compromise independence. The licence fee must not become a slush fund to be dipped into at will, leading to spiralling demands on licence fee payers to help fund the political or commercial concerns of the day."
ITV and Channel 4 broadly welcomed the report, but Five Chief Executive and Chair Dawn Airey said Digital Britain was a "disappointment" and suggested it was proposing a "political fudge".
Internet users who illegally download music and films will be encouraged to change their ways before they face legal action under new measures.
Ministers are planning legislation giving Ofcom new powers to clamp down on persistent illegal downloaders.
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I mentioned earlier in the week on a Topic about the governments will want a share of the internet REVENUE, : well here is the start,and it will not be long before it comes across the pond into the U.S.of A.the GREEDY Bastards. :projectile:
10 hours 33 mins ago
Print Story Householders face a "broadband tax" to pay for internet access to be extended nationwide. Skip related content
Related photos / videos MPs told the BBC may have to share the licence fee Play video MPs told the BBC may have to share the licence fee Play video Long awaited Digital Britain report due Play video BBC could be forced to share licence fee
Related content
BBC could be forced to share licence fee
Video: MPs told the BBC may have to share the licence fee
Brown 'to fight public spending cuts'
Related Hot Topic: Gordon Brown
Have your say: Gordon Brown
The £6-a-year levy on fixed phone lines - generating up to £175 million a year - would subsidise the cost of installing next-generation broadband networks in areas where they would not otherwise be economically viable.
The proposal was included in the Government's wide-ranging Digital Britain report, which also suggested using part of the TV licence fee to pay for ITV local news and other programmes on non-BBC channels.
Every home and business in the UK will have access to at least 2 megabits per second (2Mbps) broadband by 2012, under the plans.
This will be paid for using £200 million in public money, in part from leftover funds in the licence fee-financed scheme to help elderly and disabled people switch to digital TV.
The report also proposed using cash from the licence fee to fund consortia of regional news providers to replace the current ITV service.
From 2013 about 3.5 per cent of the fee - around £130 million a year - could be allocated to public service programmes on non-BBC channels, in particular ITV regional news and shows for children.
BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said in a statement: "On behalf of licence fee payers, the BBC Trust opposes top-slicing. The licence fee has a clear aim, clear benefits, is clearly understood and has stood the test of time.
"Top-slicing would damage BBC output, reduce accountability and compromise independence. The licence fee must not become a slush fund to be dipped into at will, leading to spiralling demands on licence fee payers to help fund the political or commercial concerns of the day."
ITV and Channel 4 broadly welcomed the report, but Five Chief Executive and Chair Dawn Airey said Digital Britain was a "disappointment" and suggested it was proposing a "political fudge".
Internet users who illegally download music and films will be encouraged to change their ways before they face legal action under new measures.
Ministers are planning legislation giving Ofcom new powers to clamp down on persistent illegal downloaders.
Email Story Share Story Delicious
Digg
Stumbleupon
Newsvine
Print Story
I mentioned earlier in the week on a Topic about the governments will want a share of the internet REVENUE, : well here is the start,and it will not be long before it comes across the pond into the U.S.of A.the GREEDY Bastards. :projectile: