Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!van-bc!questor!dgelbart
From: dgelbart@questor.wimsey.bc.ca (Dave Gelbart)
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: Big Brother charging for modem use?
Message-ID: <aocBy2w164w@questor.wimsey.bc.ca>
Date: 5 Mar 91 02:58:33 GMT
References: <1991Mar3.045031.25491@unx2.ucc.okstate.edu>
Organization: Questor::Free Internet/Usenet*Vancouver*BC::+1 604 681.0670
Lines: 26

minich@unx2.ucc.okstate.edu (Robert Minich) writes:

>   I would like to publicly ponder whether Arthur has witnessed the
> phenomena of the teenage female with regard to phone usage. Should phone
> companies charge more for households with children, much like insurance
> companies do for auto insurance? This is just my light-hearted thought
> for the day.
> 
> Robert Minich
> minich@d.cs.okstate.edu

That completely misses the point. It's impractical for the phone company to 
start charging households according to usage level, teenage girl quotient,
etc. *Very* impractical. On the other hand, it's pretty easy for them to 
start charging BBSs -- which *consistently* have greater than average phone 
use -- as they do not have to rearrange or scrap existing regulations.
Besides, it's doubtful there will be a public outcry if all telcos
started charging BBSs higher rates.

Incidentally, I believe several telephone companies have standing policy,
which they have never bothered to enforce, that BBSs pay business rates.
I know BC Tel, my local telco, does.


  Dave Gelbart                <dgelbart@questor.wimsey.bc.ca>
Post: #12 4255 Sophia St./Vancouver, BC/V5V 3V6/CANADA