Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!mnetor!seismo!columbia!rutgers!sri-spam!mordor!lll-tis!ptsfa!hoptoad!academ!killer!elg From: elg@killer.UUCP (Eric Green) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.modems Subject: Re: FCC proposes ending exemption of phone access charges for computers Message-ID: <1025@killer.UUCP> Date: Mon, 22-Jun-87 00:00:00 EDT Article-I.D.: killer.1025 Posted: Mon Jun 22 00:00:00 1987 Date-Received: Sat, 4-Jul-87 22:27:16 EDT References: Distribution: world Organization: Bayou Telecommunications Lines: 28 in article , LINNIG@eg.ti.COM (Mike Linnig) says: > WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Communications Commission proposed Wednesday > to eliminate an exemption from certain telephone access charges for > computer-based services and information retrieval systems. > The commission allowed the exemption when interstate access rules were > "It's a matter of equity" that such providers contribute to the cost of the > exchange access facilities they use, said Commissioner Mimi Weyforth Dawson. That's fine and dandy. The system that I'm using right now, Telenet (PC Pursuit), isn't using any exchange access facilities, beyond those involved with making a local call. I call over a voice grade line, and allows me to dial out in another city. No Ma Bell involved, just ordinary telephone lines at all four sides (my and my conspirator, who are charged residential rates on our respective modems, Telenet is charged business rates on its modems at either end), and a high speed leased line inbetween. Plus, many businesses connected to Telenet don't even go through an exchange... leased high-speed line, straight to the nearest Telenet node. No exchange involved at all. I can understand charging AT&T and MCI to help defray costs of equal-access facilities, but we're talking about a horse of a different color now -- the day when I dial out with modem and am automatically connected to my destination via equal access facilities that include Telenet, THEN I'll be willing to pay a surcharge for use of exchange access facilities. Eric Green {ihnp4,cbosgd}!killer!elg, elg@usl.CSNET