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

Please forgive the cross-posting to other lists, but this message is of
importance to anyone who uses a modem.

Esther Grassian
UCLA College Library
ECZ5ESG@UCLAMVS

-------------------------TEXT-OF-FORWARDED-MAIL--------------------------------

91.04.18

Dear Friends,

I received the following message at a recent conference organized by
the Southern California Regional HP Users' Group (SCRUG).  Everyone at
the conference agreed to pass on the information verbatim.

FROM:     MATT DOMSCH
SUBJECT:  MODEM TAX

A new regulation that the FCC is quietly working on will directly
affect you as the user of a computer and modem.  The FCC proposes that
users of modems should pay extra charges for use of the public
telephone networks which carry their data.  In addition, computer
network services such as Compuserve, Tymnet, & Telenet would also be
charged as much as $6.00 per hour for use of the public telephone
network.  These charges would very likely 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.  Jim Eason of
KGO newstalk radio (San Francisco, CA) commented on the proposal during
his afternoon radio program during which he said he learned of the new
regulation in an article in the New York Times.  Jim took the time to
gather the addresses which are given below.

What you should do:  First, take the time to download this message and
the letter which follows.  Next, find three or more other BBS systems
which are not carrying this message and upload this text.  Finally,
print three copies of the letter which follows (or write your own) and
send a signed copy to the three addresses.  It is important that you
act now.  The bureaucrats already have it in their mind that modem
users should subsidize the phone company and are now listening for
public comment.  Please stand up and make it clear that we will not
stand for government restriction on the free exchange of information.

The three addresses to write to:  (a letter to send follows)

Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
1919 M Street NW
Washington, DC 20554

Chairman
Senate Communication Subcommittee
SH-227 Hart Building
Washington, DC 20510

Chairman
House Telecommunication Subcommittee
B-331 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515

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 public
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 regulation.

Yours truly,
...

<end of message>