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From: karl@ddsw1.mcs.com (Karl Denninger)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Alert: AT&T May Consider Removing TDD Long Distance Discount
Message-ID: <8503@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 31 May 90 03:53:06 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 403, Message 8 of 11

In article <8338@accuvax.nwu.edu> "Yossi (Joel" <joel%TECHUNIX.
BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu> writes:
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 391, Message 2 of 12

>>Please don't take this the wrong way, but what is the justification
>>for discounts for TDD customers?  

>The rational is that the same phone call should cost the same to
>everyone.  For the same reason that folks with old switch equipment
>aren't charged extra for the additional upkeep costs, TDD users
>shouldn't be charged extra just because they have to converse at 48
>baud.

Well, by that reasoning I should pay less to use a 300 baud modem than
a 2400 baud one, or heaven forbid, a 19,200 baud one (ie: Telebit).

Of course, that is not the case.

Also of course, no one FORCES a deaf person to use a TDD to
communicate.  They can purchase a personal computer with a higher
speed modem, compose their text offline if they wish, and transmit to
other similarly equipped people.  If the additional bandwidth is an
issue, this is something these people should explore.

Note that I can easily read at 2400 baud; that is not difficult, I do
it every evening when logging in and reading the news from home.
Thus, I can effectively make use of 2400 baud transmission in >real
time<.  I am willing to bet that most deaf people can make use of at
least 1200 baud if not 2400 or more, should they be motivated to do
so.

The question becomes:

   Should a public utility be able to subsidise the use of a service by
   a disadvantaged (insert favorite of handicapped, minority, etc)
   group through the rates of those who are not as disadvantaged?

That I don't have a good answer for.  However, the issue is not
bandwidth, nor is it the information able to be transmitted per unit
of time.  It could be a matter of perceived public service, or any one
of a number of other factors.


Karl Denninger (karl@ddsw1.MCS.COM, <well-connected>!ddsw1!karl)
Public Access Data Line: [+1 708 808-7300], Voice: [+1 708 808-7200]
Macro Computer Solutions, Inc.   "Quality Solutions at a Fair Price"