Panel urges FCC to cap rural phone subsidies

Recommends allowing some of the ballooning funds to be used instead for promoting broadband service.

The story "Panel urges FCC to cap rural phone subsidies" published November 22, 2007 at 10:38 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

Content from Reuters expires after 30 days.

[michaelo1966]

Republican "tax cuts"

This is the real story of Bush and government control by the Republicans. Their version of "tax cuts" includes the doubling of this "subsidy" while they controlled the government. The subsidy happens to look a lot like a tax -- people have no choice but to pay it -- and goes almost directly to Republican donors (no doubt stopping in the government coffers just long enough to keep some loyal Bushies employed).

[michaelo1966]

Republican "tax cuts"

This is the real story of Bush and government control by the Republicans. Their version of "tax cuts" includes the doubling of this "subsidy" while they controlled the government. The subsidy happens to look a lot like a tax -- people have no choice but to pay it -- and goes almost directly to Republican donors (no doubt stopping in the government coffers just long enough to keep some loyal Bushies employed).

[skshrews]

The Program Worked, So End It!

How about a bold idea for the Feds: since the original program did what it was designed to do (bring landline phone service to rural areas), let's end it!

Of course, this is the natural life cycle of any

[skshrews]

The Program Worked, So End It!

How about a bold idea for the Feds: since the original program did what it was designed to do (bring landline phone service to rural areas), let's end it!

Of course, this is the natural life cycle of any

[skshrews]

The Program Worked, So End It!

How about a bold idea for the Feds: since the original program did what it was designed to do (bring landline phone service to rural areas), let's end it!

Of course, this is the natural life cycle of any Federal program: to bloat in size.

[paulsecic]

Cap

congress pay. End healthcare

[skshrews]

The Program Worked, So End It!

How about a bold idea for the Feds: since the original program did what it was designed to do (bring landline phone service to rural areas), let's end it!

Of course, this is the natural life cycle of any Federal program: to bloat in size.

[paulsecic]

Cap

congress pay. End healthcare

[solrosenberg]

Missing the big culprit

Nice how the article completely ignores the free conference call and free international long distance businesses that have sprung up to exploit these subsidies. Ever wonder why all of those services have numbers in Iowa or Nebraska? If you can set up a service and get people to call your Iowa number, you are guaranteed a profit at taxpayer expense.

[solrosenberg]

Missing the big culprit

Nice how the article completely ignores the free conference call and free international long distance businesses that have sprung up to exploit these subsidies. Ever wonder why all of those services have numbers in Iowa or Nebraska? If you can set up a service and get people to call your Iowa number, you are guaranteed a profit at taxpayer expense.

[jmv2007]

blaming taxes for high line costs

In Holland I only need to use my cell phone once per year to keep it alive. In the US I need to spend 100$ a year, for the same 'service'. To add a line to an existing plan? 10$ per month! My entire Dutch plan is 7 euro! Why is it so much more expensive in the US? Because of the stupid per line per month charges!

[jmv2007]

Why do numbers cost money?

If we give everybody two phone numbers, or hell, 10, with every subscription, what would be the problem? Numbers don't cost anything: integers go up to infinity. Right now the only problem is those per-line charges and taxes.

[jmv2007]

blaming taxes for high line costs

In Holland I only need to use my cell phone once per year to keep it alive. In the US I need to spend 100$ a year, for the same 'service'. To add a line to an existing plan? 10$ per month! My entire Dutch plan is 7 euro! Why is it so much more expensive in the US? Because of the stupid per line per month charges!

[jmv2007]

Why do numbers cost money?

If we give everybody two phone numbers, or hell, 10, with every subscription, what would be the problem? Numbers don't cost anything: integers go up to infinity. Right now the only problem is those per-line charges and taxes.