covert@ihuxq.UUCP (covert) (10/12/83)
The following messages were retreived from the Chicago Computer Bulletin Board Service run by Randy Suess. They were originally on the CompuServe network. Anyone using a modem at home for personal uses could read this.... From Compuserve's IBM PC Special Interest Group: #:17601 Sec. 0- General Information Subject:Surcharge To all: The BELL Operating Companies plan to place any MODEM user into the business billing category. This will mean a ************ 500 % ************* rate increase. Southwestern Bell is doing this now. The other BOC's will follow. This will affect YOU. For up to the minute information call 405-360-7462 Reply: #17638 From:Wse Meier Thanks for the tip and the number. Could you continue to keep us all updated on the developments with this situation as they come up? We'd all appreciate it. Note to all IBM PC SIG Members--- Folks, we had BETTER keep our eyes and ears open to our local Ma's Bell, just to see if they are going to try to slide this increase [in] "under the rug". Don't expect musch, if any public outcry. Our only hope seems to lie in a concentrated and united public effort. Stay tuned. From: Dennis Curburth To: Wes Meier Reply: This is not going to be an easy battle- but it may become one of the most important battles involving civil rights of this country. People have the attitude that "it cann't happen here" or "they'd never get away with that". On Jan. 1 1984 the Bell system will divest by order of Judge Green. On that day Bell will start to dominate Data Communications. the future of Bell does not rest with telephones- and Ma Bell has known this for may years. The future lies in Data Communications-- and Ma Bell now has all the freedom it needs to dominate this area. Through price structuring Bell will determine who will have "ACCESS" and who will not. If they are allowed to, they could in fact, eliminate low and middle classes from the flow of information. They could determine who will be 'literate' and who will not. With their incredible monetary resources they could easily "educate" every member of Congress, every Commission member to their way of thinking. To the Bell way of thinking. But this could never happen in America!!!!! Could it??? --------------- End of compuserve messages, beginning of flame ----- I can not beleive that Ma Bell will get away with charging so much for residential service simply become the user has a modem attacched to his phone. After all, the modems are ALL FCC approved, so Ma Bell cann't claim that the modems are harming their lines. As to the argument that Ma Bell will give "better" phone service to the user, is Ma Bell going to replace all the wires going to all the homes and apartments??? I have friends in Glen Ellyn,Illinois who can barely call out of their homes at 300 baud. They have complained to Ma Bell, and still they have lousy phone service. JOIN TOGETHER AND FIGHT MA BELL ON THIS ONE ! ! ! -- richard covert ihnp4!ihuxq!covert (312) 979-0173