In the Beginning there were relatively few Bulletin Boards. During
years of technological progression more and more BBS's appeared on
the scene. Today there are more than 25,000 in and around our country.
That number is growing every day! In accordance so is the number of
people with computers, and modems to access these Systems.
 
This sounds like good news doesn't it? The FCC and your Telephone
company sure like the idea.
 
A new regulation that the FCC is quietly working on will directly
affect you as the user of a computer and a modem. The FCC proposes
that users of modems should pay extra charges for use of the public
telephone network which carries their data. In addition, computer
network services such as Compu Serv, Tymnet, & Telenet would also be
charged as much as $6.00 per hour per user for use of the public
telephone network.
 
These charges will definitely  be passed on to the subscribers. The
money is to be collected and given to the Telephone Company in an effort
to raise funds lost to deregulation. You can see where this is going.
 
I run a Bulletin Board, I enjoy working on it, and I hope to see it
grow, and improve with time. Some of my best work and hours have gone
into the continuance of my system. I for one pay the Telephone bill
for the line on which my Bulletin Board can be reached. The telephone
company does not have to provide any special equipment or service so that
I can run my system. However I am now told that I may have to pay for a
Business class telephone line, in addition to the new FCC proposed
charges. My bulletin board has provided me with $40.00 in donations
in the last year. Does that sound like a business to you?
 
Unless SysOps and modem users alike get together to fight against
these outrageous porposels, I fear the loss of my system. I know it's
an old saying, but it applies here "United We Stand Divided We Fall"
 
If you reading this are a casual modem user, and don't particularly
give a damn one way or the other, you may soon have to find other uses
for your modem, Because my system, and 95% of the others will not be
able to afford, the upcomming costs of providing a FREE service.
On the other hand if you are interested in keeping your flow of
Information through your modem, I urge you to do some of or all of the
following:
 
Send a letter something like this:
 
 
Dear Sir,
 
Please allow me to express my displeasure with the FCC proposal
which would authorize a surcharge for the use of modems on the
telephone network. This regulation is nothing less than an attempt
to restrict the free exchange of information among the growing number
of computer users. Calls placed using modems require no special telephone
company equipment, and users of modems pay the phone company for use
of the network in the form of a monthly bill. In short a modem call
is the same as a voice call, and therefore should not be subject to
any additional charges.
 
     
---==> people to send this letter to are:
 
Chairman of the FCC
1919 M Street N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
 
Chairman, senate Communication Subcommittee
SH-227 Hart Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
 
Chairman, House Telecommunication Subcommittee
B-331 Rayburn Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
 
A tariff like what is being proposed by the FCC is only a proposal.
If enough objection is raised, the proposal will be dismissed.
I urge you to find out  when the FCC meets in your state, and voice
your objection to this proposal.
 

**********
post note:
**********

   as a sysop myself, i strongly urge every user who reads this to send in
their letters. if such a tariff, or worse yet, a business charge is levied, 
many sysops, myself included will not be able to continue to keep their
systems on line, or will be forced to charge you a yearly/monthly fee to
help cover the outrageous cost. do this for us, do it for yourself. if
anything, do it because you are sick and tired of watching the big boys get
richer and richer without the little guys saying a word! but, by all means,
do it! don't let the '90's go down as the last decade of free bbs'ing.
my letters go out with tomorrows mail. i hope i can count on each and every 
user here to do the same.
     
   your support is needed!
 
                             thank you.

                                  brandi