judy@moray.UUCP (Judy Scheltema) (10/25/88)
The following is the text of an article that appeared in the Houston Post
editorial pages on October 22, 1988. The reporter who wrote this will be
attending the meeting scheduled for October 27, 1988 at the Grand Hotel
at noon to cover further developments. Approximately 150 sysops and users
have RSVP'ed as of this writing, so it should be a good turnout and just
perhaps get Ma Bell's attention. If anyone can make this meeting who has
not signed up, please contact Sandy at 713-961-7800 to confirm your presence.
We should have representatives from both newspapers and a couple of
tv stations there to spread the word on what the phone company is attempting
to do.
P. S. Sorry I had to change groups. I originally posted the first articles
with a distribution of us in comp.dcom.telecom, but discovered it was
moderated and wanted to get this information out on the net promptly.
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CAN SOUTHWESTERN BELL TRULY JUSTIFY THIS RATE HIKE?
by
Thomas J.L. Bronsberg-Adas
Recently, Southwestern Bell began raising the telephone rates
of computer bulletin board systems (BBSs). The rates are being
raised from $13.35 (the residential rate) to $32.85 (the
commercial/business rate). This increase is an increase of over
240%! I feel (as do most computer users) that this increase in
not warranted, nor justified.
Before I go into those details, allow me to explain what a
BBS is...
A Bulletin Board System (BBS) is a program that runs on a
computer and allows people to leave messages and read messages
left by others. The use of this program involves the utilization
of a computer system, a modem (a device used for communication
between two computers over the phone lines) and a separate phone
line (so as to not tie up the family's line). The person that
owns the computer and operates the BBS is called a SYStem OPerator
(SYSOP).
In the Houston area, it is estimated there are upwards of
1,000 BBSs. The sysops of many of these boards are high school
and college students. The vast majority of them are just computer
hobbyists; working their regular jobs and coming home to enjoy a
hobby.
The cost of setting up one of these BBSs is not a small one.
The average cost of computer, hard disk drives, software programs
and modem can run into the thousands of dollars. To a student,
that may mean not getting a car, or even a stereo. To a working
sysop, it may mean that the family will not be taking a vacation
for a while.
Also, to the students (especially the high school students),
running a BBS is a learning experience. By running the BBS, the
student learns responsibility, communication skills and inter-
personal relationships (in the sociological sense). It also gives
the students a purpose to their life, rather than roaming the
streets and getting involved with drugs and/or
violence. Southwestern Bell's attempt to charge BBSs commercial
rates will just add another brick in the wall that sways teens to
drugs.
According to my dictionary, commercial means..."made, done,
or operating primarily for profit." Of all of the boards that I
frequent, not one has been operated for profit. In reality, they
are all running at a loss. After all, the sysops have paid for
all of their computer equipment and are also paying for two phone
lines into their homes (or their parents are). How can this be
construed as being a commercial venture?
Southwestern Bell charges churches, governments, charities
and other non-profit organizations commercial rates for their
phone service, but that is dictated by state regulations. These
ventures also receive monies from various sources, such as taxes,
donations, solicitations and grants. So, they can afford to pay
the commercial rates.
Computer BBSs are not and have never been mentioned in these
regulations. But, Southwestern Bell is not stopping at this.
They are also charging amateur "ham" radio operators the
commercial rate, if these 'hams' patch radio messages to the
telephone line.
Amateur radio operators are the ones that are usually the
only link with the world for areas suffering disasters, such as
earthquakes and hurricanes. They also help distant missionaries
in remote locations that do not have any phone services (such as
the South American jungles). The FCC regulations strictly forbids
any commercial traffic over the frequencies alloted amateur
operators. How can Southwestern Bell claim something is
commercial, when the federal government strictly bans such
activity? Is Southwestern Bell's power greater than the federal
government?
BBSs and amateur radio operators are not covered by the
regulations that apply to commercial rates. Also, even if they
were, Southwestern Bell did not allow the sysops and "hams" to
file comments with the PUC before putting this action into
effect.
If the Public Utilities Commission allows Southwestern Bell
to charge these unwarranted rates, they will be giving a free hand
to 'baby' Bell to change their rates anytime they want, for any
reason they want.
By strange coincidence, Nynex (another of the baby Bells) is
about to introduce a for-profit BBS. Could it be that this
unwarranted rate classification is an attempt to squash any
possible competition? After all, would you rather contact a free
BBS or one that charges you by the minute?
I believe that this may be the beginnings of a conspiracy by
the Bell systems around the country to destroy an established
nation-wide hobby, so that they may introduce their own commercial
venture into this field.
If they are not stopped now, they may next charge you the
commercial rate for having an answering machine in your home. Or
even charging you the commercial rate because you MAY call a
business from your house.
Copyright 1988 HEART ATTACK PRODUCTS
10901 Meadowglen 142
Houston, TX 77042
(713) 785-3487
--
Judy Scheltema | uunet!nuchat!moray!judy
Houston, Texas | bellcore!texbell!moray!judyjudy@moray.UUCP (Judy Scheltema) (10/28/88)
From uucp Thu Oct 27 20:40 CST 1988
>From dillo1!ehopper Thu Oct 27 20:40:15 1988 remote from hounix
Received: by moray.UUCP (smail2.5)
id AA09783; 27 Oct 88 20:40:15 CST (Thu)
To: hounix!moray!judy hounix!moray!nuchat!root ssbn!bill ssbn!petro!bruce
Subject: KTRK News story
Here is the transcript of the news story on KTRK-TV regarding our
meeting today:
KTRK-TV News 6:00 PM 10/27/88
Reporter Tom Koche:
"You might say there's been a showdown averted at the computer
corral tonight. Southwestern Bell had planned to charge business
rates to operators of computer bulletin boards in the Houston area.
But computer buffs raised such an outcry that Bell decided not to
raise it's rates at this time.
"But the computer enthusiasts want Bell's assurance that rates won't
be raised in the future because they consider bulletin boards hobbys
instead of businesses."
Reginald Hirsch (COSUARD President):
"Our gameplan is to meet with Southwestern Bell officials, at their
request, including some of their top management tommorrow -Friday-
and there to see if we can reach some form of agreement. If we can't
we are prepared to do whatever is necessary."
Koche:
"Bell says it believes some bulletin boards should be charged
business rates, it just hasn't identified yet which ones."
------------------END OF TRANSCRIPT-----------------------------------
NOTE:
While the story implies that all is settled, the rollback of rates
by Southwestern Bell is temporary. Some signals from them indicate
that they still hold the view that ALL bulletin boards should pay
business rates.
Ed Hopper
--
Judy Scheltema | uunet!nuchat!moray!judy
Houston, Texas | bellcore!texbell!moray!judy