9-1-1 TAXES IMPOSED ON SPRINT BROADBAND CARD FOR LAPTOP?

11/2/2007 | Self

[SERKIT]

I am in a discussion with Sprint and the Illinois Commerce Commission on the taxes that appear on my bill for my Sprint Pentech PX-500 broadband card for my laptop. I am paying $0.57 for Federal 9-1-1 taxes and $0.75 for local 9-1-1 tax. This isn't a bank-breaker, but it's the principle.

The card cannot "dial" 9-1-1 and it lacks GPS chipset for Phase 2 wireless E9-1-1 location requirements. Because of this, I contend that I should not be paying taxes for a device that CANNOT use the services for which I'm being taxed. It would be the rough analog of paying 9-1-1 taxes for a WiFi card.

Has anyone else tried to make this argument? Am I shoveling feces against the tide?

[SERKIT]

Wondering if anyone has tried to make the argument that a wireless broadband card for a laptop should NOT pay 9-1-1 taxes.

[BfloGuy]

Why are you complaining about the service providers? They’re only following the dictates of our Washington D.C. overlords. Call your congress-critter or your Senator.

[EGPWS]

Am I shoveling feces against the tide?

Yes.

Your mindful concern totes more weight by your vote at election time.

[socialismisinsidious]

I am afraid you are shoveling. I'm paying plenty in taxes that I will never use, never see the benefit of and will never access. sigh

Gotta love the taxes that have absolutely nothing to do with what the money is supposedly going to go for. Here in Pittsburgh there is a push for a 10% drink tax......so the money can be used to fund a failing mass transit system. It's laughable and asinine.

[BurbankKarl]

It is a phone line. You could make a VoiP call with it.

[SERKIT]

As I could on WiFi, so what’s the difference?

[BurbankKarl]

Your wifi has the tax too

[BurbankKarl]

You’re lucky...LA City charged 10%

[SERKIT]

How do I pay 9-1-1 tax per device on WiFi?

[Beagle8U]

If I still have to pay about $6 amonth on my phone bill for the war of 1812 you can pay a few pennys for 9/11.

[kingu]

My strongest suggestion would be to get a broadband enabled cell phone and tether it to your laptop through bluetooth and simply drop the broadband card. BUT I wouldn’t stop writing letters about the issue in any case.

[BurbankKarl]

Are you stealing wifi?

[SERKIT]

WiFi is in my house (free of 9-1-1 taxes) and free in many hotels (free of 9-1-1 taxes) and at Starbucks (free of 9-1-1 taxes). I’m not sure you understand the issue.

[BlazingArizona]

If I still have to pay about $6 amonth on my phone bill for the war of 1812 you can pay a few pennys for 9/11.

The tax isn't for September 11, it's for 911 emergency service. Like his laptop card is going to call the fire department.

[freekitty]

I agree.

[VeniVidiVici]

I’m on your side as the taxes on this stuff is outrageous. However, it is proabably because you are going over a cell tower to get to the broadband network.

As mentioned, I tether my cell to my laptop when WiFi is not available. Supposed to pay extra for this with Sprint but for some reason they haven’t charged me yet.

[Beagle8U]

I didn’t think I nedded a sarc tag for that.

[HoosierHawk]

If I still have to pay about $6 amonth on my phone bill for the war of 1812 you can pay a few pennys for 9/11.

I don't understand the $6 monthly fee for the War of 1812. Why's that?

[HoosierHawk]

Ah, sarcasm. It works well...sometimes.

[steve86]

I think it’s justified in the government’s mind because the card utilizes the cell network, repeater facilities, etc., which are used when a cell device places a 911 call. Doesn’t necessarily justify the tax to me.