System Operator <sysop@pinn.uucp> (03/19/90)
Just to throw this in on the discussion of FCC access charges:
For a while, I ran a 976 service in the South Florida area. My phone
bills where HUGE! On each line there was a 6! dollar FCC access
charge. This can mount up when you consider how many trunks are
placed on each working phone number.
As we all know, these charges are to allow everyone "equal access to
the long distance network." Ok, I'll bite... The 976 lines were not
capable of placing outgoing calls; no dialtone, just battery tick
when they are taken off hook. ALL calls outside the LATA are BLOCKED
from being able to reach those 976 number. Hence NO ACCESS to the
NETWORK is possible from EITHER direction. Why was I being
charged??!!
When I asked someone from Southern Bell, they said, well, gosh gee,
its because that 6 dollars per month was calculated based on EACH
phone line, regardless of whether they have access to the network.
Does this mean ring-down lines get nailed too?
Anyone else have some opinions, comments? How about a good old class
action suit?. We're talking hundreds of thousands of dollars over the
course of several years!!!
These thoughts are my own, and all standard disclaimers apply.
Andy
{your favorite backbone...codas}!novavax!pinn!sysop