Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!van-bc!cynic!curt
From: curt@cynic.wimsey.bc.ca (Curt Sampson)
Newsgroups: comp.org.eff.talk
Subject: Re: Big Brother charging for modem use?
Message-ID: <0Zaiy3w163w@cynic.wimsey.bc.ca>
Date: 8 Mar 91 20:05:44 GMT
References: <aocBy2w164w@questor.wimsey.bc.ca>
Organization: Mad Artists' Techno-Hangout, Vancouver, Canada
Lines: 78

dgelbart@questor.wimsey.bc.ca (Dave Gelbart) writes:

> 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.

Wrong.  This issue came to a head last year when BC Tel decided to
charge Doppler/Deep Cove BBS business rates.  Up until that point BC Tel
had *never* charged a non-commercial BBS anything but a residential
rate.  DCDBBS was a 16-line BBS that gave free access to anyone.
However, it was sponsored by Doppler Computers (a computer store) and
carried advertising for that store.  Thus, BC Tel deemed it a commercial
operation.

After several months of discussion with the local BBS community, BC Tel
put forth the following policy on rates charged to BBSs:

(3)     Mon 17 Sep 90 13:04     Rcvd: Mon 17 Sep 15:13
By: Ellen Mark, BCT BBS (153/908)
To: Curt Sampson
Re: B.C. Tel's Position
St: Pvt  Crash  Rcvd
------------------------------------------------------------------------
@MSGID: 1:153/908 988d16ca
@Original: Dallas Hinton
cc: Dallas Hinton
B.C. Tel has reviewed the many informative messages and letters of
comment received from members of the bulletin  board  system (BBS)
community.  These comments have been very helpful in expanding our
knowledge of the subject.  We truly appreciate the effort you have
made in providing this input.

B.C. Tel  believes  that  the  local  exchange  telephone  service
that   serves    a BBS  can  be  classed  as  either  Business  or
Residential,  depending on  whether  the  BBS is  being  used in a
"business" or "residential" manner; this is in accordance with the
Company's  tariffs.   The  following criteria  will  determine the
appropriate classification for computer bulletin board systems:

Residential local exchange rates will apply to a BBS EXCEPT when:

1.   Money   or  payment  in  kind   (including  club  membership,
     contribution of any type) is paid for services;

                            -AND/OR-

2.   The bulletin board is sponsored by or operated in affiliation
     with a not-for-profit or otherwise commercial entity;

                            -AND/OR-

3.   When advertising, as a function of the bulletin board, is for
     the   financial  gain  of  a  not-for-profit   or   otherwise
     commercial entity;

                            -AND/OR-

4.   When  the system operator/owner/sponsor of the bulletin board
     solicits or receives money or payment in kind  for  providing
     advertising as a function of the bulletin board.

These  criteria will be utilized when customers apply for multiple
line telephone service for the purpose of providing a BBS.

These  criteria will be in  effect on a "going  forward" basis, as
customers  request new service,  move or change  existing service.
There   is  no  plan  to  comprehensively  review existing BBSes.

Again, thank you for your help in this matter.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope that this clears up any misunderstandings.

cjs
curt@cynic.wimsey.bc.ca          | "Sometimes it's like a party you go to where
curt@cynic.uucp                  | there are no lights and everyone is doing
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