Path: utzoo!censor!geac!torsqnt!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!thunder.mcrcim.mcgill.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!apple!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!swrinde!ucsd!casbah.acns.nwu.edu!accuvax.nwu.edu!nucsrl!telecom-request From: bernhold@qtp.ufl.edu (David E. Bernholdt) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Business vs Residence (was: Michigan vs BBSs) Message-ID: <15754@accuvax.nwu.edu> Date: 2 Jan 91 00:57:02 GMT Sender: news@accuvax.nwu.edu Reply-To: "David E. Bernholdt" Organization: University of Florida Quantum Theory Project Lines: 34 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 4, Message 1 of 12 I have a few questions relating to the business/residence distinction: 1) Historically, what is the argument for charging businesses and residences differently? Do the businesses get better quality lines? :-) Is it more expensive (to the telco) for someone at a business location to pick up the phone and make a call? To receive one? In the latter case, isn't the person _calling_ the business picking up the tab? 2) Do these arguments still apply in the present day? (For example, most people say that tone dialing is now cheaper to the telco than pulse dialing -- thus negating a major argument for the tone dialing tariff.) 3) In the past, what has the criteria been for the telco to force someone to pay business rates? Are they looking at licenses which might be required by the local authorities or registered charitable/non-profit groups? Is the installer looking for some sign that I'm running a business when (s)he comes to hook me up? 4) Where will it end? Will I have to pay business rates if I have a terminal/modem at home which I use to dial up the computer at work occasionally? Will I have to pay business rates if I put an add in the paper trying to sell my car? How about if I casually start buying and selling used cars, using newspaper adds giving my home phone number in order to fund my hobby of collecting and restoring old Yugos? David Bernholdt bernhold@qtp.ufl.edu Quantum Theory Project bernhold@ufpine.bitnet University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611 904/392 6365