The road to surfdom: Hong Kong's tax on innovation

Article Abstract:

Local Internet firms in Hong Kong are required to pay Hongkong Telecom a Public Non-Exclusive Telecommunications Service (PNETS) fee, a practice which has been called discriminatory because these users are being treated differently than others who use the lines to send a fax, make a phone call, or access an on-line service. The structure of Hong Kong's phone service is at the center of the controversy because it uses long-distance charges to subsidize free local calls. Hong Kong should drop the PNETS fee and return to the fair practice of having prices reflect costs.

Editorial, Taxation, Online services, Economic policy, Hong Kong, Telecommunication lines, Telecommunications lines

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Internet is rough for small players

Article Abstract:

Would-be Internet service providers in Pakistan face barriers that also apply to other developing countries. Price competition is intense and an alliance with a larger player may be necessary. The Internet is not predictable since technology changes rapidly and it is not easy to make a profit from Internet services. This is true for the US and more so in Pakistan where there are fewer users and costs are higher. There are also cultural factors which affect service providers in Pakistan. Literacy levels are low and blasphemy is punishable with the death penalty.

Computer Services, Computer Systems Design and Related Services, Computer and Data Processing Services, Internet service providers, Information technology services, Pakistan, Information services

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The right address

Article Abstract:

Bala Pillai has registered Sydney 2000 as his Internet address before the Sydney Organizing Committee for the 2000 Olympic Ganes had realised the potential of this address. The committee has had to choose a more cumbersome name, and many enquiries about the games will reach Bala Pillai first. He aims to provide information and services relating to the games and may levy an access charge for his site. He claims he has received more than 100 queries from possible subscribers.

Olympics

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