********************* Forwarded message **************************
Subject: Modem Usage $ Costs Proposed by FCC (fwd)
Original dated: Dec 19 '94, 19:34
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 carries their data. In
addition, computer network services such as CompuServ, Tymnet, and 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
news talk 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
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 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 down)
and send a signed copy to each of the following:
Chairman of the FCC 1919 M Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554
Chairman, Senate Communication Subcommittee SH-227 Hart Building,
Washington, D.C. 20510
Chairman, House Telecommunication Subcommittee B-331 Rayburn Building,
Washington, D.C. 20510
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 represents an attempt to restrict the free exchange of
information among the growing number of computer users. Calls placed using
modems require no special telephone 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,
***********************************************
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.