Topic: Netherlands Antilles

Adam Curry reports from Bonaire, noting significant changes since the Dutch government designated the island as a province in January 2011. The local government workforce has expanded to 600 employees for 15,000 inhabitants, while property taxes have tripled. Despite a 28-million-euro EU grant for sewer and fiber infrastructure, residents remain unconnected due to high individual hookup costs and a lack of an external internet service provider. Local frustration is rising over cruise ship passengers who allegedly shoplift souvenirs without spending money at local businesses.

One host prepares for a vacation to Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles. Amidst the travel plans, a producer from Zurich reports that PricewaterhouseCoopers has been contracted by the U.S. government to design a Value-Added Tax (VAT) system for the United States. The hosts view this as a sign that a new national tax is being prepared for a "smooth transition."

Technical difficulties during a previous broadcast from the Netherlands Antilles are attributed to poor local internet infrastructure. The discussion covers the limitations of 300 kilobit upstream ADSL and the potential for using WiMAX or multiplexed lines for future remote broadcasts from the island.

Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open Episode 223 of No Agenda, broadcasting from a beach shack in Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles. The hosts immediately encounter significant technical difficulties and connection drops due to the remote location's infrastructure. They discuss the local scenery and the lack of 3G connectivity on the island.

Bonaire is scheduled to become a full municipality of the Netherlands on October 10, 2010 (10/10/10). Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has publicly claimed this change brings NATO-affiliated military presence too close to his borders. The transition will also see the local currency shift from the Guilder to the US Dollar.