@jbtaylor on tech

You pay a hidden broadband tax every day and you don't even know it.

• You pay it when you send an email or surf the Internet or make a wireless phone call.
• You pay it when you use your credit card at the check out aisle at Target, Home Depot or Wal-Mart.
• You even pay it when you use your ATM card to withdraw cash from your bank.

It's a lot of money. Each year, you and other consumers pay $10 billion in hidden broadband taxes.

Who's collecting all of this money? Verizon, AT&T and the big landline phone companies. They collect this windfall in the form of fees they charge other businesses and non-profit institutions to use certain telecom circuits known as special access circuits.

Wireless companies, banks, retailers, hotels, manufacturers, educational institutions and insurance companies depend on special access circuits to access broadband and deliver services to you. It's an essential part of the broadband economy.

And guess what these businesses do when they are charged these excessive special access fees? They pass it on to you in the form of higher prices.

For years consumer groups and businesses have asked the FCC to reign in AT&T and Verizon. Finally, it appears the FCC is ready to act.

To learn more about this issue, visit http://nochokepoints.org and then contact the FCC and demand that they end this hidden broadband tax.

After all, who needs this money more? You and your family or AT&T and Verizon?

Contrary to what most tech writers will tell you, your EVO, Droid or iPhone is not the biggest story about the wireless industry. The spectrum these devices operate is more important, yet most consumers and many tech writers miss that point.

President Obama however, understands the importance of spectrum and what his administration and the FCC can do to get more spectrum deployed so your smartphone and other advanced wireless devices can operate at faster speeds in more places.

This morning, the president signed an executive memorandum which will make available for public auction some 500 MHz of spectrum, implementing portions of the National Broadband Plan was released in March by the Federal Communications Commission. Certain aspects of the President’s directive will still require Congressional approval. Later over lunch, Larry Summers, director of the National Economic Council delivered a speech which explained the president's approach on spectrum and how its effective deployment can help expand our broadband economy.

Sprint Nextel's Vonya B. McCann, senior vice president – government affairs issued the following statement:

“Sprint is pleased that President Obama has put his support behind the FCC’s National Broadband Plan recommendations concerning spectrum allocation. The President’s order will facilitate all federal agencies working cooperatively to identify spectrum availability and best manage this scarce resource. If the plan’s recommendations are implemented fully over the next ten years, they will create jobs, promote innovation, and further expand the country’s broadband economy.”

Earlier today, the Federal Communications Commission voted 3-2 to seek public comment on the best approach to regulate broadband.

Sprint's Vonya B. McCann, senior vice president of Government Affairs issued the following statement:

“Sprint looks forward to providing the FCC input on the issue of reclassification of broadband services and the manner in which broadband networks are regulated and managed.

In order for the FCC to successfully secure a vibrant and innovative future for broadband in America, it must take the steps necessary to promote a competitive broadband market. The reclassification issue has no affect on the FCC's broad regulatory authority to address critical inputs, such as special access circuits, to the provision of broadband service. Sprint understands, however, the importance of having a clear legal basis for any regulatory regime.

Sprint appreciates the thoughtful approach the FCC is taking on the complex issue of reclassification and will carefully review each of the FCC's alternative proposals for a future broadband regulatory regime."