[This is not a Traveller topic, but it is of direct importance to users
of computers and modems, which most of us are. Please carefully read
this document and make your own choice whether to respond or not. I know
I will! Thanks to Keith Phemister for sending me this, and to Geoff
Speare for writing the original -- James]
Two years ago the FCC tried and (with your help and letters of protest)
failed to institute regulations that would impose additional costs on modem
users for data communications.
Now, they are at it again. A new regulation that the FCC is quietly working
on will directly affect you as the user of a computer and modem. The FCC
proposes that users of modems should pay extra charges for use of the public
telephone network which carry their data. In addition, computer network
services such as CompuServ, Tymnet, & Telenet would also be charged as much
as $6.00 per hour per user for use of the public telephone network. These
charges would very likely be passed on to the subscribers.
The money is to be collected and given to the telephone company in an effort
to raise funds lost to deregulation.
Jim Eason of KGO newstalk radio (San Francisco, CA) commented on the
proposal during his afternoon radio program during which, he said he learned
of the new regulation in an article in the New York Times. Jim took the
time to gather the addresses which are given below.
Here's what you should do (NOW!):
1- Pass this information on. Capture the information which contains
the text you are reading now. Find other BBS's that are not
carrying this information. Upload the ASCII text into a public
message on the BBS, and also upload the file itself so others can
easily get a copy to pass along.
2- Print out three copies of the letter which follows (or write your
own) and send a signed copy to each of the following:
Chairman of the FCC
[address removed]
Washington, D.C. 20554
Chairman, Senate Communication Subcommittee
SH-227 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Chairman, House Telecommunication Subcommittee
B-331 Rayburn Building
Here's the suggested text of the letter to send:
Dear Sir,
Please allow me to express my displeasure with the FCC proposal
which would authorize a surcharge for the use of modems on the
telephone network. This regulation is nothing less than an attempt
to restrict the free exchange of information among the growing
number of computer users. Calls placed using modems require no
special telephone company equipment, and users of modems pay the
phone company for use of the network in the form of a monthly bill.
In short, a modem call is the same as a voice call and therefore
should not be subject to any additional regulation.
Sincerely,
[your name, address and signature]
It is important that you act now. The bureaucrats already have it in their
heads that modem users should subsidize the phone company and are now
listening to public comment. Please stand up and make it clear that we will
not stand for any government restriction on the free exchange of
information.
[end text]
Geoff Speare
OMG
[email removed]