Fun_People Archive
12 Feb
ISP Connection Fees -- Tomorrow's A Deadline...

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From: Peter Langston <psl>
Date: Wed, 12 Feb 97 16:31:43 -0800
To: Fun_People
Subject: ISP Connection Fees -- Tomorrow's A Deadline...

> ***THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ALL THOSE IN THE U.S. CONNECTING TO THE
>     INTERNET***
>
>                              *****LISTEN UP!!!*****
>
>     Every regional phone company in the U.S. is asking the F.C.C. to allow
>     them to charge access fees to all internet service providers. ISP's
>     have been exempt from such charges since 1983, something that has
>     helped keep our monthly INET connection charges low. If the F.C.C.
>     decides to allow phone companies to begin charging ISP's, such charges
>     will be based upon every minute that a customer is connected, and
>     passed along to each customer.
>
>     To give you an idea of how much additional you could end up paying
>     a month, here's one example:
>
>     Pacific Bell says that INET surfers use it's phone lines an
>     average of 45 minutes a day. If PacBell was allowed to charge only
>     1 cent per minute, this would increase the average customers bill
>     $13.50 a month, over and above what is paid now.
>
>     Let's suppose a customer is connected for an average of
>     3 hours a day. The monthly bill would then increase $54.00. That's
>     *over and above what your ISP charges now*. If you pay $19.95 a
>     month now for unlimited time connected, your bill in the future
>     (at 3 hours a day) would then be $73.95 a month.
>
>     It is most unusual for the F.C.C. to set up an e-mail address
>     for the public to comment. If we don't take advantage of it, we
>     will end up paying for it in the pocketbook.
>
>     Please read the message below, and note that we have only until
>     February 13 to send comments to the F.C.C. NOW IS THE TIME FOR
>     US TO GENERATE A MAIL FLOOD TO COMPLAIN.
>
>     Both the President and Vice-President have touted their goal is
>     to have every home in the country connected by the year 2000. If
>     the phone companies are allowed to charge us by the minute, that
>     plan will be shot down in flames. It wouldn't be a bad idea either
>     to let both Clinton and Gore know what you think.
>
>                                  ******************
>
>      I am writing you this to inform you of a very important matter
>      currently under review by the FCC. Your local telephone company has
>      filed a proposal with the FCC to impose per minute charges for your
>      internet service. They contend that your usage has or will hinder
>      the  operation of the telephone network.
>
>      It is my belief that internet usage will diminish if users were
>      required to pay additional per minute charges. The FCC has created
>      an e-mail box for your comments, responses must be received by
>      February 13, 1997. Send your comments to:
>
>                                ISP@fcc.gov
>
>
>      Tell them what you think!
>
>      Every phone company is in on this one, and they are trying to sneak
>      it in just under the wire for litigation. Let everyone you know
>      here this one. Get the e-mail address to everyone you can think of.
>
>          !!!! >>>>>>>>>>>>>> ISP@fcc.gov <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<!!!!!
>
>     Please forward this e-mail to all your friends on the internet so all
>     our voices may be heard!
>
>         ******************************************
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