DEFRANCO@RADC-TOPS20.ARPA (Carl DeFranco) (06/26/87)
For all those who seem to think this is a NEW surcharge - remember that the FCC is proposing to END an EXEMPTION. While I think it patently unfair to start by exempting a service from charges, then imposing them after a large nnumber of users subscribe, it is not a special charge on data users. If you think so, write to the FCC. The procedures and addresses are available all over this net and others. The real question to address to them is whether or not removing the exemption provides an unfair competitive advantage to the Local Operating Companies. As a rough example, if I, in the boonies in NY State, subscribe to a data service near NYC, my call is subject to the surcharges at both ends (being an interLATA call) for a private company service, i.e. about 9 cents per minute. If New York Telephone provides the same data service, one of two things happen: either 1) they don't need to charge 9 cents per minute for use of their own equipment (which is what this charge is all about), or 2) they charge the 9 cents and make even more money on the call - for the equipment use and for the data service. This is where the possibility of unfair competitive advantage creeps in. Individuals with home modems already pay the access charges to the local telephone company (or businesses for that matter). Where the additional charges lie is at the service end (Telenet, Tymnet, etc.) who have been exempted from the 8 cents or so for connection from the long distance net into their local serving telephone company. Finally, if you feel otherwise, write to the FCC. They do listen, even though they might not agree. You might also try your congressmant niod d d