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From: ted@blia.sharebase.com (Ted Marshall)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Massachusetts Enhanced 911 Payment Scheme
Message-ID: <16376@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 25 Jan 91 00:16:18 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 64, Message 1 of 10


In article <16341@accuvax.nwu.edu>, dgp0@bunny.gte.com (Dennis Pratt)
writes:

> Where I have a bone to pick is the proposed method of charging for
> E-911.  Instead of charging the 911 caller, (allowing users of the
> system to directly pay for the increased functionality), NYNEX has
> convinced the politicians to have non-users of 911, specifically 411
> users, pay for this system.

I believe that most area do some sort of ganeral charge for 911
procurement and support. Most areas, including No. California, put a
general surcharge on the phone bills. I hadn't heard of a 411
surcharge.

> If an E-911 call cost $5 - $10, I do not believe that would stop
> people from using the system. [...]

I disagree. If I look out my window and see a fire across the street
and I know that I'll get charged $5.00 for calling 911, I'll call the
fire department directly or figure that someone else will call it in.
911 should be designed so that if you are reporting what truly looks
like an emergency, you have no reason not to call it in.


Ted Marshall                                       ted@airplane.sharebase.com
ShareBase Corp., 14600 Winchester Blvd, Los Gatos, Ca 95030     (408)378-7000
The opinions expressed above are those of the poster and not his employer.


[Moderator's Note: That was precisely the argument made here when
there was discussion of who should pay for 911 service. The City of
Chicago took the position that nothing should stand in the way of
someone making a legitimate call for emergency help; and certainly not
the fear that they would not be able to pay for it later.   PAT]