Urgent Info. about ISP and Phone Companies with F.C.C.

[Dan or Alysse Rasmussen]

Alysse here ....

I'm going to foward this to a couple of listservs (and ask others who see it
to post it on to yet other listservs).  It's not a joke; I called the FCC &
asked 2/13/97.

There is a proposal before the FCC to start charging for internet calls.  If
you want the particulars (or want to file an electronic protest) go to
http://www.fcc.gov/isp.html

There has been so much interest generated in this that the FCC has set up a
special "internet comments" page.  You can file your opinion from that page.
Send a message from the (red) isp at fcc.gov address.
Be very specific ... the subject-line has to include the docket # 96-263.
You'll need to send your snailmail name & address, too.

 At 11:52 AM 2/13/97 -0500, you wrote:
>SPECIAL ALERT!!! - ACTION NEEDED TODAY!!!
>
>
> INTERNET THREATENED BY GREEDY PHONE COMPANIES!!!
>
>
>***THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ALL THOSE IN THE U.S. CONNECTING TO THE INTERNET***
>
>                         *****LISTEN UP!!!*****
>
>Every regional phone company in the U.S. is asking the F.C.C. to allow them
>to charge access fees to all internet service providers. ISP's have been
>exempt from such charges since 1983, something that has helped keep our
>monthly INET connection charges low. If the F.C.C. decides to allow phone
>companies to begin charging isp's, such charges will be based upon every
>minute that a customer is connected, and passed along to each customer.
>
>To give you an idea of how much additional you could end up paying a
>month, here's one example:
>
>Pacific Bell says that INET surfers use it's phone lines an average of 45
>minutes a day. If PacBell was allowed to charge only 1 cent per minute,
>this would increase the average customers bill $13.50 a month, over and
>above what is paid now.
>
>Let's suppose a customer is connected for an average of 3 hours a day. The
>monthly bill would then increase $54.00. That's *over and above what your
>isp charges now*. If you pay $19.95 a month now for unlimited time
>connected, your bill in the future (at 3 hours a day) would then be $73.95
>a month.
>
>It is most unusual for the F.C.C. to set up an e-mail address
>for the public to comment. If we don't take advantage of it, we
>will end up paying for it in the pocketbook.
>
>Please read the message below, and note that we have only until
>February 13 (TODAY!!!) to send comments to the F.C.C. NOW IS THE TIME FOR
>US TO GENERATE A MAIL FLOOD TO COMPLAIN.
>
>Both the President and Vice-President have touted their goal is
>to have every home in the country connected by the year 2000. If
>the phone companies are allowed to charge us by the minute, that
>plan will be shot down in flames. It wouldn't be a bad idea either
>tolet both Clinton and Gore know what you think.
>
>                             ******************
>
> I am writing you this to inform you of a very important matter
> currently under review by the FCC. Your local telephone company has
> filed a proposal with the FCC to impose per minute charges for your
> internet service. They contend that your usage has or will hinder the
> operation of the telephone network.
>
> It is my belief that internet usage will diminish if users were
> required to pay additional per minute charges. The FCC has created an
> email box for your comments, responses must be received by February
> 13, 1997 (TODAY!). Send your comments to:
>
>        isp at fcc.gov
>
> and tell them what you think.
>
> Every phone company is in on this one, and they are trying to sneak
> it in just under the wire for litiagation. Let everyone you know here
> this one. Get the e-mail address to everyone you can think of.
>
>!!!! >>>>>>>>>>>>>> isp at fcc.gov <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<!!!!!
>
>Please forward this email to all your friends on the internet so all
>our voices may be heard!
>
>    ******************************************
>
>