W8SDZ@SIMTEL20.ARPA.UUCP (08/16/87)
LETTER SENT TO ALL TELENET CORPORATE CUSTOMERS
July 23, 1987
Dear Telenet Customer:
RE: FCC Access Charge Proposal, Docket 87-215
Three weeks ago, I wrote to you about the FCC's recently-
announced proposal to apply carrier access charges to enhanced
service providers. In that letter, I promised to furnish you with
additional information when the FCC released the text of its
proposal--which occurred on Friday, July 17.
Attached is a copy of the FCC's Notice of Proposed Rule Making
(NPRM), along with a Telenet paper that analyzes the potential impact
of the access charge proposal, summarizes some of the relevant policy
issues, and provides suggestions regarding actions you can take--
including filing of written comments and informal lobbying contacts
with the FCC Commissioners and key staff.
As outlined in the attached paper, the FCC access charge
proposal--if implemented as proposed--would probably force Telenet to
increase its public network dial-in rates by more than $4.00 per
terminal hour, which represents approximately a 60-100 percent
increase for daytime service. Evening/weekend dial access rates
would be increased by as much as 500 percent, for access charges have
no "time-of-day" discounts.
THIS NEED NOT OCCUR. If a large numbers of users and providers
of enhanced services express opposition to the FCC proposal, and
DEMONSTRATE its serious adverse impact, the proposal can be defeated
or altered.
It is imperative that action be taken quickly if we are to
impact the FCC decision process. The FCC has established August 24
as the deadline for initial formal comments, and September 14 for
reply comments. It is possible that these deadlines may be extended,
but for now they must be assumed to be firm. Additionally, informal
letters may be sent to the FCC, and discussions may be held with the
Commissioners and staff, at any time prior to the issuance of a
notice that the matter will be considered at an upcoming Commission
meeting (which will probably occur sometime in the Fall).
I urge you to express your views forcefully to the FCC on this
critical issue. This should include both written comments and
follow-up discussions with key FCC personnel. If you have users or
customers outside your own organization who would be affected by the
FCC's proposal, I also urge you to inform them of this proposal and
encourage them to express their views to the Commission.
Copies of your comments to the FCC should be sent to your
Congressman, your two Senators, and the Chairmen of the House and
Senate Telecommunications Subcommittees, with a cover letter asking
them to express their concerns to the FCC. Names and addresses of
the two Subcommittee Chairmen are provided in the enclosed paper.
Also, please send us a blind copy of whatever you file with the
FCC, so we will be aware of it in our lobbying efforts. A
self-addressed envelope is enclosed for this purpose.
I cannot overstate the importance of your efforts in influencing
the outcome of this proposal. It is very likely the FCC's decision
will be made based on their perception of the impact on the public,
especially the information services industry and its users. We think
that impact will be extremely negative. If you agree, let the FCC
know -- and provide whatever data is available to back up your views.
Thank you in advance for your interest and support in this
critical matter. If we can provide you with additional information
or assistance, please contact Phil Walker, Telenet's Vice President
and Regulatory Counsel, at 703-689-5656.
Sincerely,
Paolo L. Guidi