The "Wall Street Journal" reports that Federal regulators (FCC) are considering whether the government should take greater control of the Internet and ask consumers to pay higher phone charges in order to provide all Americans with cheaper access to broadband Internet service. (What doesn't the government want to control?)
The FCC staff will float possible solutions in December and make formal recommendations in February 2010, when it is set to release its National Broadband Plan, a blueprint for improving broadband speed and access. Congress asked the FCC for the plan earlier this year. FCC officials estimate it could cost $350 billion to connect all American households to high-speed Internet service, depending on speed offered.
Now, let me get this right. The government is proposing that to expand internet service to everyone that current phone customers will have to pay higher phone charges
through the Universal Service Fund. This fund subsidizes phone service for low income Americans. Let's see. There are currently approximately 400 million cell phone and land line customers in the United States. At a cost of $350 billion, that amounts to an increase of $875 to your phone bill! Skype, anyone?
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