Digital surcharge

The Socialist government managed to get enough support in Congress to maintain and extend the digital surcharge on mobile phones and MP3 players.

This means mobile phones, MP3 players and flash USB memory sticks will be more expensive as of January. Phones will see a 1.5 euro surcharge, MP3 players 3.15 euros, 17 cents on a blank CD and 44 cents on a blank DVD. There will also be charges added to printers, copiers, scanners, CD and DVD recorders and independent hard disk drives.

The Partido Popular leader, Mariano Rajoy, had opposed the new surcharges, saying it presumed that everyone was engaged in criminal activity. While admitting that artists should be compensated, he said another method had to be found.

This is part of a new law designed to promote a society of information in Spain which will also allow the Government to close down offensive websites. The Government denied that this measure breached freedom of expression, but it remains unclear how the closure of any webpage would be decided. The new law obliges public administration to make all public documents available for access online. However, measures to control online gaming have been postponed.

The internet is gaining importance ahead of the General Elections in March, especially among young voters. Both the main parties have produced videos to promote their message, and Mariano Rajoy has launched a website where he reveals much about himself and includes childhood photos.

The Internet and digital communications featured in the local government campaigns here in Bigastro with both parties promising a widening of access to all citizens in the town. However, although free courses and free advice are available,  Bigastel WiFi  is still only in Phase 1 which limits coverage to the centre of the town.

I imagine there are very sound technical as well as economic reasons why access hasn't been extended. A wired connection is undoubtedly more reliable than a WiFi connection but that reliability comes at a price. As I have said before, the high cost of Telefónica and other suppliers ADSL  access must  limit the take up of broadband internet here in Spain.