Fwd: [DemocraticResearch] FCC CHAIR PUSHES NEW INTERNET TAX

FCC CHAIR PUSHES NEW INTERNET PHONE TAX

ZDNet, 14 December 2005
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-1035_22-5995488.html

Chairman Kevin Martin said that imposing new taxes on more Internet
phone users will probably be a priority next year for the FCC. The
issue arose with regard to the Universal Service Fund (USF), which
subsidizes services in rural and other high-cost areas, schools, and
libraries. Long-distance, pay, wireless, and regular telephone services
pay into the fund. Not determined are how such taxes will affect voice
over Internet protocol (VoIP) providers and other telecommunications
services. Some of the companies that provide VoIP services already

contribute to the USF, but no regulations require such participation.
"We need to move to collection for the Universal Service Fund that is
technology-neutral," said Martin. Congress also is expected to address
changes to universal service reform in 2006.