[Chapter-delegates] Taxing Internet services

[Mark Buell]

Dear colleagues,

As you may know, the Government of Canada is considering implementing a tax on Internet service to generate funding for the development of Canadian content in light of declining revenues in the traditional media sector. Two scenarios are under consideration:
1         A tax on online content providers, like content streaming sites (thus, the tax in Canada has been referred to as the ‘Netflix tax’).
2         A tax on Internet service, added to a subscriber’s Internet fees.

Canada isn’t the first country to consider an Internet tax. Hungary, France, the United States, and others have proposed – and withdrawn – a tax on Internet service. Other countries have implemented a similar tax, including Pakistan and Bhutan.

An ‘Internet tax’ could have implications for the Internet and innovation. There are significant policy questions that need to be carefully considered. As we frame our thinking ourselves, we would like to hear your thoughts in particular on the following questions:
Is a tax on Internet service an appropriate tradeoff for ensuring the development local, regional and national content?
Would a tax on Internet services affect the end-user adoption of the Internet nationwide? Would it have an impact on investments in Internet infrastructure?
How would a tax on Internet service intersect with policies to enhance a nation’s competitiveness in the innovation and digital economy?

Furthermore, if you have had any experience with a similar policy at the regional and/or national level, please let us know.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on this important issue. The discussion will be open until November 18, 2016.

Thank you,

Mark Buell
Regional Bureau Director, North America
Internet Society
Skype: mark_at_isoc
Twitter: @mebuell<https://twitter.com/mebuell> and @isoc_na<https://twitter.com/ISOC_NA>
www.isoc.org<http://www.isoc.org/>


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