DON.KIMBERLIN@p6.f889.n106.z1.fidonet.org (DON KIMBERLIN) (01/10/90)
..The rumored FCC surcharge issue (that was the topic of a 1987 docket) may not be COMPLETELY dead and gone. Read the following from the MCIOne bbs, a closed system for professional Telecommunications Consultants in Washington. NOTE PARTICULARLY the 1989 docket number and the actions Telcos have been taking of recent times. (Did your friendly local Telco tell you they were doing this? Or were they waiting to inform you after they got it that it was just "too bad, somebody in Washington at the FCC requires they charge you $6.00 an hour for your $1.00 an hour PC-Pursuit?") January 2, 1990 ACCESS CHARGE FOR INFORMATION SERVICES PROVIDERS There is no pending specific proposal by the FCC to impose a charge on so-called enhanced service providers (ESPs) for their access to the public network. An earlier proceeding which was examining the imposition of such an access charge was terminated in late 1987. Recent references in the trade press to the possibility of such a charge stems from statements made by members of Congress and the FCC's chairman, Alfred Sikes, opposing such a charge. However, the issue has arisen recently because the FCC, in its proceeding regarding modification of the FCC's rules for implementation of Open Network Architecture (CC Docket No. 89-79), raised the question of whether such a charge should be imposed. In comments filed in that proceeding, the telephone industry generally favored instituting an access charge on ESPs, while user groups opposed such a charge. The Commission has not yet released a decision on the matter, but, as noted, Chairman Sikes is against imposing the charge. There currently is one vacancy on the 5-person FCC. Although a letter to the Chairman is probably preaching to the converted, he would doubtless appreciate receiving evidence that knowledgeable members of the public support his position. More importantly, the remaining three commissioners should receive such evidence. The volume each commissioner receives is important as long as identical form letters are not sent (these tend to be ignored). It is most important to write SOMETHING reasonably and honestly stated, in either typewritten or handwritten form, objecting to the imposition of a charge on enhanced service providers (which, of course, would be passed on to users of such services). Certainly a strong argument can be made that modem calls require no special telephone company equipment, users of modems pay the local telephone company for use of the network in the form of a monthly bill, and, thus, a modem call is the same as a voice call and should not be subject to any additional charge. Also, any local telephone company advocating its entitlement to levy an access charge on an ESP should have the burden of proving that such a charge is cost-justified. Since the accurate quantification of such local telephone company costs is subject to much debate, and since many companies have never calculated their costs, it would be particularly unfair and unreasonable to grant permission to impose an additional charge based on speculation and blind faith. You can express your views in writing to the FCC commissioners individually, each to the same address. Remember to put the docket name and number--Re: Open Network Architecture, CC Docket No. 89-79--between the address and salutation of the letter, or make reference to it in your letter. Honorable Alfred C. Sikes, Chairman Honorable James H. Quello Honorable Sherrie P. Marshall Honorable Andrew C. Barrett Federal Communications Commission 1919 M Street N.W. Washington, D.C. 20554 You might also send a copy of one of your letters, or one specifically directed to Congress, to the following addresses: Chairman, Senate Communications Subcommittee SH-227 Hart Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Chairman, House Telecommunications Subcommittee B-331 Rayburn Building Washington, D.C. 20515 . EZ 1.24 . Safety Harbor Institute of Technology PCRelay:PETEXCH -> RelayNet(tm) 4.10.9 St Pete Programmers Exchg *HST* 813 527-5666