Chief Executive of TalkTalk, Charles Dunstone has taken up arms against the Government's proposed plans to impose an yearly ?6 broadband tax on users, arguing that this move would mean that as many 100,000 low income homes would have to give up on their internet connection altogether.

The Government's proposed tax, to be levied on all phones lines across Britain, which currently stands at 50 pence per month, is all set to be included in the year's upcoming finance bill. The move is being viewed as a way to raise funds for the development of better and super-fast broadband networks.

According to Dunstone, the tax has not been opened for public consultation at all. "This is an unjust and regressive tax on all phone customers which will subsidies mostly richer rural households that can afford high priced super fast broadband services", he said.

TalkTalk has revealed that its estimate that most low income households would give up on their connections is based on earlier experience and an understanding of customers' behavior when they encounter a price rise. Instead of imposing an additional tax, Dunstone has said that it would make more sense that the private sector is left to fund the next generation broadband.