Comments on: Federal appeals court weighs Internet phone taxes

Vonage and an industry group argue that new rules imposed by the FCC discriminate against voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).

[stlwest]

No long distance = No Fee?

How about if I don't use long distance on my phone, can I forgo paying the fee. I have Vonage which includes LD but I don't ever use it.

[enscorp]

Are you kidding?

There will Always be this fee whether you use long distance or not. Its just another gestapo scam by the government to take from the haves and give to the have nots.

[stlwest]

No long distance = No Fee?

How about if I don't use long distance on my phone, can I forgo paying the fee. I have Vonage which includes LD but I don't ever use it.

[enscorp]

Are you kidding?

There will Always be this fee whether you use long distance or not. Its just another gestapo scam by the government to take from the haves and give to the have nots.

[stltransplant]

tax on tax

sheesh,always a new way to double tax us.

[stltransplant]

tax on tax

sheesh,always a new way to double tax us.

[Solaris_User]

Tax us whatever you want.

Feds, go ahead tax us all you want. We apparently have no power to stop you (or even a right to question) so why use restraint? your stealing the American peoples money by force.. why bother to hide it?

[Solaris_User]

Tax us whatever you want.

Feds, go ahead tax us all you want. We apparently have no power to stop you (or even a right to question) so why use restraint? your stealing the American peoples money by force.. why bother to hide it?

[mitchcat]

Take my children too!

I got a email the other day from my VOIP company packet 8 informing me that my bill was going up. I like many of you try to use technology to my benifit. I jumped on the VOIP band wagon years ago to avoid the games that traditional phone companies play. Now that it has become much more main stream it may be time to find something new. Although I was glad to see that Vonage had taken a stand and is pushing the issue of unfair or over taxation. Go Vonage. You know I am tired of over paying for everything, I pay a ton for my highspeed internet, cell service, tv, and now my VOIP is going to join the list. Lets all take a stand like vonage and make sure that we speak out and make sure that we are not unfairly charged or taxed.

[mitchcat]

Take my children too!

I got a email the other day from my VOIP company packet 8 informing me that my bill was going up. I like many of you try to use technology to my benifit. I jumped on the VOIP band wagon years ago to avoid the games that traditional phone companies play. Now that it has become much more main stream it may be time to find something new. Although I was glad to see that Vonage had taken a stand and is pushing the issue of unfair or over taxation. Go Vonage. You know I am tired of over paying for everything, I pay a ton for my highspeed internet, cell service, tv, and now my VOIP is going to join the list. Lets all take a stand like vonage and make sure that we speak out and make sure that we are not unfairly charged or taxed.

[zanzzz]

Down With The FCC & The Tax Fund

The original impetus for extending this tax was from the baby bells that wanted to saddle upstart VOIP companies with as many hardships as possible. They also successfully petitioned so a 911 fee would be needed as well. The FCC is always more than willing to expand their authority whenever possible. What really needs to be done here is the dismantling of both the FCC and the Universal Fund. This rat hole where billions upon billions each year are fed is mismanaged and ill conceived. Has anyone ever seen an accounting statement of how this money is spent? Why should we be subsidizing phone service in rural areas? Why should we be paying for phone service in libraries? Get that money from local taxes and not from someone's wallet in another state.
The FCC is largely a disgrace. An assuming, arrogant agency always grasping for more authority and mostly serving large corporate interests at the expense of the average citizen. Look at how these morons even continue to differentiate between "local" and "long distance" calls and therefore how each should be separately regulated. Those quaint and artificial distinctions should be abandoned in the new reality of current telecommunications. Another example of clinging to the past is the different regulations for cable vs. telecommunication companies. These corporations offer convergent services and should be regulated in a similar manner.

[zanzzz]

Down With The FCC & The Tax Fund

The original impetus for extending this tax was from the baby bells that wanted to saddle upstart VOIP companies with as many hardships as possible. They also successfully petitioned so a 911 fee would be needed as well. The FCC is always more than willing to expand their authority whenever possible. What really needs to be done here is the dismantling of both the FCC and the Universal Fund. This rat hole where billions upon billions each year are fed is mismanaged and ill conceived. Has anyone ever seen an accounting statement of how this money is spent? Why should we be subsidizing phone service in rural areas? Why should we be paying for phone service in libraries? Get that money from local taxes and not from someone's wallet in another state.
The FCC is largely a disgrace. An assuming, arrogant agency always grasping for more authority and mostly serving large corporate interests at the expense of the average citizen. Look at how these morons even continue to differentiate between "local" and "long distance" calls and therefore how each should be separately regulated. Those quaint and artificial distinctions should be abandoned in the new reality of current telecommunications. Another example of clinging to the past is the different regulations for cable vs. telecommunication companies. These corporations offer convergent services and should be regulated in a similar manner.

[crocodilosc]

Universal Slush Fund

Who decides how the money received from the USF is spent? Whether one area's plight is more dire than another's? I don't mind paying taxes on services, but I should have a voice as to where the money goes and ALL long-distance service companies should be taxed at the same rate. This is a cleverely disguised arbitrary taxation ploy used to fund social programs indiscriminately and should be stopped!

[crocodilosc]

Universal Slush Fund

Who decides how the money received from the USF is spent? Whether one area's plight is more dire than another's? I don't mind paying taxes on services, but I should have a voice as to where the money goes and ALL long-distance service companies should be taxed at the same rate. This is a cleverely disguised arbitrary taxation ploy used to fund social programs indiscriminately and should be stopped!

[bluemist9999]

VoIP should pay into the USF

I believe it is fair to require VoIP providers to pay the same share of their long distance revenues that cell phone providers and landline long distance providers do.

However, I believe charging them more, or additional fees that cell phone providers do not have to pay, is unfair.

I don't believe broadband access should be subjected to the tax because the tax is specifically meant for phones. That would also amount to a double-charge for consumers who use, say, Vonage --- pay into the USF once to get onto the 'net, pay a second time to use Vonage.

I believe the principle of "you can't be double taxed for something" should apply and keep some sanity to the proceedings.

[bluemist9999]

VoIP should pay into the USF

I believe it is fair to require VoIP providers to pay the same share of their long distance revenues that cell phone providers and landline long distance providers do.

However, I believe charging them more, or additional fees that cell phone providers do not have to pay, is unfair.

I don't believe broadband access should be subjected to the tax because the tax is specifically meant for phones. That would also amount to a double-charge for consumers who use, say, Vonage --- pay into the USF once to get onto the 'net, pay a second time to use Vonage.

I believe the principle of "you can't be double taxed for something" should apply and keep some sanity to the proceedings.