goldstein@delni.DEC.COM.UUCP (06/11/87)
Noticed on Dow Jones News/Retrieval 6/10/87:
(paraphrased for copyright reasons)
The FCC has proposed levying access charges of about $5/hour on computer
telecommunications services such as Tymnet and Telenet. Previously,
these services have been exempt from such charges.
Well, this was fought and won last year, but I suppose the circuit-switch
networks are back trying to put packet out of business once and for all.
I won't go into how this will simply kill ISDN packet (whose D-channel
access mode will have NO explicit circuit connections TO the network,
hence almost no per-minute cost of usage time). I won't go into how this
is MORE THAN 100% TAX LEVEL on most Tymnet and Telenet activity (since
their hourly rate is below $5/hour). I won't go into how this will
pretty much make BOC packet networks die abornin', since they must be
a lot cheaper than that to interwork profitably with long-haul packet
nets. I won't go into the effect on services like PC Pursuit, since
that's been beaten to death in this forum.
I just wanted to warn you all that it's time to fight again. Maybe
Dennis Patrick is trying to flex his muscles and tell all them lily-livered
libberals who hang out on computer nets that he won't be cowed! (Got any
better explanations? Don't post them here.)
fredelg@killer.UUCP (06/14/87)
in article <8706111427.AA27300@decwrl.dec.com>, goldstein@delni.DEC.COM (Fred R. Goldstein dtn226-7388) says:
[lots of important stuff about proposed $5/hour FCC access fee]
If you wish to complain, write letters complaining to the FCC about the
proposed regulation, and to your congress-critters (both Senators, and your
House representative). I can't telll you how to reach your congress-critter,
but here's how to reach the FCC:
Chairman Dennis R. Patrick, FCC
1919 M Street
N.W., Washington DC 20554
Note that hand-written letters tend to come across better to congress-critters
thinking about bouncing babies and "the folks back home"... they tend to get
turned off by neat clean type-written or worse yet WORD PROCESSED letters,
thinking "oh no, it's those d**ned special interest groups again". As for the
FCC, probably enclosing a copy of your bank statement, with a balance of over
12 billion dollars, would be best for getting the attention of the staunch
conservatives who run it.... after all, remember Reagan's motto, "government
by the rich, for the rich"... alas, since I don't have $12 in my bank
account, I'll have to settle for sending just an ordinary letter.