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Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!rutgers!labrea!decwrl!decvax!ucbvax!MAINE.BITNET!STEVEG
From: STEVEG@MAINE.BITNET ("Steve E. Goldsmith")
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple
Subject: (none)
Message-ID: <8707111409.aa01148@SMOKE.BRL.ARPA>
Date: Sat, 11-Jul-87 08:19:00 EDT
Article-I.D.: SMOKE.8707111409.aa01148
Posted: Sat Jul 11 08:19:00 1987
Date-Received: Fri, 24-Jul-87 04:22:04 EDT
Sender: daemon@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Distribution: world
Organization: The ARPA Internet
Lines: 62



----------------------------Original message----------------------------


          FCC RULE CHANGE

The following information is taken  from a notice written by
VEC  3,   concerning  the  current  FCC  ruling  on  "packet
switching" services.  We want to thank  VEC 3 for keeping us
apprised on this most important  situation which effects all
of us.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

On June  10th,  1987,  the Federal  Communication Commission
(FCC),  by  a 4-0 vote,  proposed  a rule change  that would
assess an  access charge  for all  computer users  accessing
"packet switching" services such as Telenet and Tymnet.

If this access charging is approved,  it would add a minimum
of $5.00 per hour  to the cost of ANY AND  ALL services con-
nected to these "switches".

Packet switching services include:  PLINK, PC-Pursuit,  BIX,
CompuServe, GEnie etc..

At the present time, the FCC is soliciting Legal Briefs from
ONLY those parties whom they  have requested comments.  Your
cards  and  letters  to  them  will  not  be  recognized  or
registered!

The FCC will  be making their final decision  on this ruling
later this summer or early fall.

So what can you do,  as a  subscriber to one of these packet
switching services,  to let the FCC  know how you feel about
being charged extra to get online???

Call Telenet  PC-Pursuit at  1-800-TELENET (1-800-835-3638).
Tell them that  you want to join in the  protest against the
new FCC  ruling effecting packet switching  services,  (also
known as  "Interstate Access Charges Exemption  for Enhanced
Services Provider"- FCC Docket 87-208).

They will take your name,   address,  phone number and which
online services you use.   When the time is right, they will
send   you  information   concerning   which  FCC   members,
Congressmen,  and Senators to write to.  They will also tell
you the most advantageous time to write them.

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

I  called Telenet  this  morning  and they  are  considering
setting up  a special  number for people  to call  and leave
their information.  If they do set up a special line, I will
post it here in Online News.

It is  important that the word  gets out about this  new FCC
rule change.   Post a notice on  every BBS you call  or sub-
scribe to. This rule change effects all of us! Only by shear
force of numbers will our voices be heard.