[rodedwards]

They do. Property taxes.

[jjoonathan]

Seeing as ISPs also receive money from the government and Netflix pays taxes, you could make the same pointless observation about Netflix and Verizon.

But you shouldn't. This discussion is about a direct company-to-company attempted shakedown, not inefficient procurement.

[wpietri]

I'm not sure you mean to argue for a publicly funded Internet, but that's basically what this implies.

[tankenmate]

You've already got that as the government already pays subsidies. I'm all for basic infrastructure to be collectively owned; be it co-ops, collectives, not for profits or even the government (local, national etc). This is the way it is for roads, rubbish, sewerage, etc. If you want a premium / luxury service then feel free to pay extra. Contract out support, maintenance, sales for the infrastructure by all means, but the ownership should be a collective of the users.

[rhizome]

Property taxes tied to the level of traffic destined for a particular commercial location? This is the first I've heard of something like this, can you tell me more?

[rodedwards]

Property taxes for a given location are determined by the size and nature of the business.

[roc]

They don't pay taxes to toll road operators.