Public services, infrastructure, the very fabric of the nation: these too are being converted into risk-free investments.
Revenue from business cloud services — infrastructure resources, software applications and developer tools — was $22.2 billion last year, less than 2 percent of total technology spending, IDC estimates.
From the Treasury it would take responsibility for financial services, infrastructure, enterprise, productivity and "growth sustainability" (as the current government puts it).
Amazon did it because it developed a superior computer services infrastructure for its core business and decided to offer similar services to any and all.
Deborah Jones, director in the OFT's services, infrastructure and public markets group, said the organisation would step in if it received further evidence of non-compliance.
She regards these taxes as her fair contribution to America's housekeeping expenses - military and social services, infrastructure and debt interest, etc.
"The OFT takes allegations of price fixing seriously," said Ann Pope, senior director of services, infrastructure and public markets at the OFT.
After all, many developing countries still struggle to provide basic services such as clean air and water, education, public services, infrastructure and healthcare for ageing populations.
London's successful bid for the 2012 Olympics included the pledge to improve services, infrastructure and transportation in the long-neglected East End.
"While the economic benefits of growth are clear, we need to maintain the basic public services infrastructure which means increasing the number of officers we have".
He has failed to overcome opposition to market opening in sectors like retailing and financial services; infrastructure, the sinew of any economy, is woeful; and a long-awaited goods and service tax has not been introduced.
