http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2775276 In its lawsuit, Qwest points out that UTOPIA, as an agency of the cities that created it, is exempt from sales and property taxes, which will enable it to operate and offer services over its network at below-market prices. "These financial advantages, which are not available to Qwest or other private telecommunications companies that compete in the same wholesale and retail markets, provide UTOPIA with a distinct competitive advantage, which effectively prohibits other companies from competing with UTOPIA," Qwest alleges in its lawsuit. Qwest is asking the court to order UTOPIA to pay sales and property taxes or to include the amount of those taxes into the rates it intends to charge potential customers for high-speed Internet, telephone and television services. Boy I can play this problem so many ways. Personally I lean towards supporting utopia. I see this battle going nation wide. I see so many benefits of putting high speed into poor hands. I have always felt strongly about low income housing having high speed internet to get in touch with the outside world and find opportunities. One thing is for sure I see the big boys having to drop their price eventually one way or another. I hope the public wins in that battle. NickB.
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