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From: flank@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Brett Jacobson)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Michigan Bell vs BBSs
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Date: 6 Jan 91 07:44:44 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 11, Message 1 of 8


(This message forwarded from petrilli@dogface.UUCP)

In article <15756@accuvax.nwu.edu> kddlab!lkbreth.foretune.co.
jp!trebor@uunet.uu.net (Robert Woodhead) writes:

>Seems to me like a Solomon-like "cut the baby in half" solution is in
>order.  It is unreasonable for MB to demand deposits, as all of the
>traffic on the modem lines is incoming (and they can be flagged for
>local outgoing calls only, most likely).  At the same time, modem
>lines attached to BBSes do consume significantly more resources than
>the average residential line, thus the extra $50 a month (for sixteen
>lines thats $3/line/month) is not unreasonable.

I believe you miss the point that has been raised countless times in
the past, which is: Do the RBOCs have the right to charge you for your
use of the lines other than for voice?  They are obligated to provide
service, and unless the service is measured, they have no right to
complain about how much goes through.

Here in Texas the problem has occured several times between SWBT, and
the BBS operators of the state.  Basically the conclusion became: SWBT
is obligated to provide X quality service, whether you need it or not,
and they may NOT degrade the line below a set minimum.  They also have
no legal right, as common carriers, to listen to what is on the line,
other than to tell if there is a signal or not.

By saying that "$50 is not unreasonable," you open the door for rate
increases based on the excuse "we underestimated the burdon," (which
BTW, they have been bearing quite easily in the past).  Once you allow
the tarriff, you have opened yourself up to many rate increases at the
whim of the RBOC.  We are at-least semi-fortunate here in Texas that
SWBT doesn't gourge us too much (except on installation charges), and
the PUC doesn't let them raise rates much.


Chris Petrilli      petrilli@dogface.UUCP    petrilli@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu