October 9, 2000

3:10 PM

talk about a captive audience'AT&T Corp. is mulling a plan ... [that] ... would charge for each customer that accesses an Internet retail site using AT&T’s communications network. It would receive an additional commission when customers buy something, analysts said.'
posted by rebeccablood (10 comments total)

sort of like a 1-800-number you didn't ask for....

rcb
posted by rebeccablood at 3:14 PM on October 9, 2000

I can't see how they can make this happen -- technologically or otherwise. There's no way to do this without massive technical work on the part of merchants, and there's absolutely no incentive for merchants to participate.

And how can AT&T force this on them? By blocking access to uncooperative merchants from their network? All that will get them is a bunch of angry customers.
posted by jjg at 3:21 PM on October 9, 2000

Imagine if car companies did this? "Hey Kmart, 200 people drove to this store in a Ford today, you owe us 20 bucks."
posted by Doug at 3:22 PM on October 9, 2000

Heh. Sounds like the old Internet Tax hoaxes of days gone by.
posted by mikel at 3:26 PM on October 9, 2000

what the fuck is wrong with companies...aren't people rich enough already? why does every damn corporation try to suck whatever they can out of the Internet. Just leave it alone and enjoy the millions/billions you already have. if only everyone could work to better our society instead of their wallets
posted by physics at 4:04 PM on October 9, 2000

Relax, it won't happen. The public internet will win out again. Telcos are brain dead.

posted by lagado at 6:35 PM on October 9, 2000

Bah. I almost feel dirty now for having bought a cell phone with AT&T service.
posted by CrayDrygu at 7:34 PM on October 9, 2000

I heard that Jim Lehrer is going to ask the candidates' opinions on this issue at the prez debate on Wed.
posted by smackfu at 7:45 PM on October 9, 2000

"Alternate Posting Fees" as an internet tax. Hah. "Hey! You there! You're not giving us your business. You better start dealing with us again, otherwise we'll have to tax the money out of ya!"
posted by tomorama at 9:57 PM on October 9, 2000

"The internet interprets __________ as damage and routes around it."
posted by dhartung at 7:23 AM on October 10, 2000