Report states that broadband tax should be scrapped

A recent report by Policy Exchange has claimed that the broadband tax that has been launched by the Labour government needs to be scrapped.

The broadband tax that has been introduced by the Labour government has caused a great deal of controversy amongst many different groups, and has been fiercely opposed by some Internet providers as well as by other political parties such as the Conservative Party. Now there has been another report released that claims the broadband tax, which would see those with landlines having to pay six pounds a year or more depending on the number of landlines that they have, needs to be scrapped.

The report, by Policy Exchange, states that instead of the broadband tax a new three hundred million pound division called the Public Access Division should be launched. According to the report this could help to bring broadband access to remote areas through access provided in post offices, libraries, and community centres.

The proposals to provide broadband for all, as outlined in the Digital Britain Report, could cost around three and a half billion pounds, and the Policy Exchange suggests that this huge expenditure is not required because having a division to deal with provision of broadband access through community hubs would be a better option.

The Policy Exchange also said that the division would also have other responsibilities as well, which would include responsibility for digital projects and general standards across the internet, as well as the development of a kite mark system that would help to protect children online. The report went on to claim that the government needed to develop a more ‘even handed’ approach to deal with the controversial topic of illegal file sharing and online piracy.

Source – Telegraph