Stealth Tax on Telephones

[BarriedaleNick]

Labrat - strangely I do generally agree with much of what you say esp regarding the BT/Virgin monopoly.  The convergence of cable companies over the years has done nothing to enhance choice and competition although the capital costs of infrastructue seems to have done for some of them.  I recently need a fibre service and had a choice of two - dealing with BT esp was a nightmare.
I think it is better to concentrate on population numbers rather than territory and taxes are always unfair to some.  I pay taxes that provide services that I dont use so I don't think it out of order that 10% dont benefit.  I would rather leave it to the market but as you point out the current duopoly doesn't readily lend itself to good competition which means inflated prices so we all end up paying.  It's either that or fund it out of general taxation which would still be "unfair".
The wiring issue affecting 1.9m households is, I believe, down to the householder.

You are obviously well informed on the subject - I am interested in how you think we should approach this - no trolling - genuinely interested.

cheers

[BarriedaleNick]