Comments on: Satellite Radio Tax?! http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/satellite-radio-tax/ Sat, 27 Nov 2010 12:28:40 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: John http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/satellite-radio-tax/comment-page-1/#comment-3207 John Tue, 28 Feb 2006 23:05:55 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/satellite-radio-tax/#comment-3207 <i>See, it's not like XM has physical property in Virginia.</i> Well, they actually might. Both XM and Sirius rely heavily on a network of terrestrial repeaters to provide reliable coverage in urban areas (Arlington, Richmond...) where the satellite signals are prone to blocking by tall buildings, overpasses, etc. I'm with you though, the tax is bunk. See, it’s not like XM has physical property in Virginia.

Well, they actually might. Both XM and Sirius rely heavily on a network of terrestrial repeaters to provide reliable coverage in urban areas (Arlington, Richmond…) where the satellite signals are prone to blocking by tall buildings, overpasses, etc.

I’m with you though, the tax is bunk.

]]> By: Kimberley http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/satellite-radio-tax/comment-page-1/#comment-3206 Kimberley Tue, 28 Feb 2006 19:14:21 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/satellite-radio-tax/#comment-3206 It seems like Virginia is trying to make it's residents pay a "sales" tax on everything. It seems like Virginia is trying to make it’s residents pay a “sales” tax on everything.

]]> By: Stacey http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/satellite-radio-tax/comment-page-1/#comment-3205 Stacey Tue, 28 Feb 2006 17:38:41 +0000 http://dc.metblogs.com/2006/02/28/satellite-radio-tax/#comment-3205 Actaully, it gets worse. Not only has the federal gov't considered this before, and many states have and do (i.e. the current fight in Virginia), but XM - and other satellite and wireless services - already pay a "tax." Such services pay a spectrum fee which is analogous to utility companies paying a landline fee. They pay for space on the satellite spectrum, which is essentially their "usage fee." So, not only does this additional tax suck b/c it will come back to consumers in the form of a higher bill, but they are already taxed the same way that landline-using utilities are, so this is a DOUBLE tax, not just a tax. Not many people can agree with imposing something like that on a company or consumers. Actaully, it gets worse. Not only has the federal gov’t considered this before, and many states have and do (i.e. the current fight in Virginia), but XM – and other satellite and wireless services – already pay a “tax.” Such services pay a spectrum fee which is analogous to utility companies paying a landline fee. They pay for space on the satellite spectrum, which is essentially their “usage fee.”

So, not only does this additional tax suck b/c it will come back to consumers in the form of a higher bill, but they are already taxed the same way that landline-using utilities are, so this is a DOUBLE tax, not just a tax. Not many people can agree with imposing something like that on a company or consumers.

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