From the Japan Times: Japan's telecommunications ministry announced yesterday it may force consumer WLAN users to pay spectrum user fees.
[T]he ministry plans to hit the users with these fees because such appliances use almost the same spectrum as mobile phones, whose users are required to pay the fees, they said. The move might provoke stiff opposition from product manufacturers as it is likely to affect their sales. The ministry plans to collect fees from users of information appliances when they purchase these products, according to the sources.
Manufacturers of home appliances are currently stepping up efforts to develop information appliances that are linked via wireless networks and can be controlled from anywhere. Spectrum user fees have been charged in connection with licensed broadcasting and radio stations, as well as with cellular phone companies.
Gamespot has more on the story, and points out that gamers in Japan who use the Nintendo DS or Sony PSP would also be affected because both use wireless LANs to connect.
Reports say the bill will not be proposed to Japan's parliament until 2005 — leaving ample time for device manufacturers and pissed-off wireless enthusiasts to raise a fuss.
