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From: sunil@ut-ngp.UUCP (Sunil Trivedi)
Newsgroups: net.consumers,net.politics,net.misc
Subject: Victims of Equal Access (?)
Message-ID: <1605@ut-ngp.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 13-Apr-85 08:59:03 EST
Article-I.D.: ut-ngp.1605
Posted: Sat Apr 13 08:59:03 1985
Date-Received: Tue, 16-Apr-85 00:21:39 EST
Organization: The University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712
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Xref: watmath net.consumers:2161 net.politics:8523 net.misc:7846


As most of you know, Equal Access is just around the corner
(at least that's what my local Bell company [Southwestern
Bell] has been saying for some time).  But many may not be
familiar with the process that these Bell companies are about
to take regarding those who do not choose a particular long
distance company.  Previously it was assumed that at the time
Equal Access was to be offered in an area, the residents would
have six months to decide which would be their main long dis-
tance carrier.  Those who chose not to choose were to remain
with their previous carrier (AT&T).  The other long distance
companies got Northwestern Bell to allocate some of the undecided
to their companies instead of defaulting to AT&T. Now South-
western Bell is following, with the other Bell companies waiting
in line.  Agreeing that it may be considered unfair to "give" all
those "free" customers to AT&T, I feel that the consumer should
have the right not to have his service changed without his per-
mission. The telephone company and the long distance carriers have
been telling customers of the Equal Access and its implications.

I have had MCI, Sprint, Metrophone, and a local company called
SATELCO and of course AT&T and have found there to be a definite
quality difference. This difference could affect data transmission
and the usability of the line over long distance.  Equal Access
may help the quality of the other companies' lines, but would it
be right if you were the "lucky" one to be assigned to one of the
lower quality carriers?  What does the net feel about these politics?

					Sunil Trivedi
					sunil@ut-ngp. {ARPA,UUCP}