Here is one I just received from my local ISP. I generally regard these
stories with a jaundiced eye, but I trust these guys to know.
Thought you all would like to know what is out there.
Yr Fthfl Svt, Leigh
46 TC
48 TC
>IMPORTANT NOTICE-
>The Telephone companies want to charge ISPs and their customers BY THE
>MINUTE,
>EVEN ON LOCAL CALLS! It could drastically effect the rates you pay for
>Internet access. If this concerns you, please read on.
>
>Q: Is the FCC considering allowing local phone companies to impose
>access charges on ISPs?
>
>A: The FCC has requested public comment on whether ISPs should pay
>current access charges, and more generally on how Internet and
>interstate information services that use local telephone networks should
>be treated. The FCC's initial proposal is that ISPs should not be
>required to pay current access charges, ******** but the Commission
>has made no final decisions *********** .
>
>you can view this on the Internet at
>http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/Factsheets/ispfact.html
>
>Send the F.C.C. your comments at isp@fcc.gov
>The final deadline for comments on the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking is
>Friday, February 14, 1997.
>
>
>I. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Access Charge Reform
>
> The Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on Access Charge Reform
>seeks comment on proposals to restructure the entire system of access
>charges paid to local telephone companies. The Commission is seeking to
>make the access charge system more consistent with the development of
>local competition in the telephone industry, and with principles of
>economic efficiency.
> As part of this process, the Commission considered whether enhanced
>service providers, such as ISPs, should be required to pay interstate
>access charges. The Commission tentatively concludes that ISPs should
>not be subject to access charges as currently constituted.
>
> If you want to learn more about this issue you should read
>paragraphs 282 through 290 in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (the
>rest of the document covers other issues). You can also access this
>document on the FCC's Web site, or you can obtain this section of the
>document by calling our fax on demand system at 202/418-2830 and
>requesting document numbers, 96-262, 94-1, 91-213 and 96-263.
>
> The final deadline for comments on the Notice of Proposed
>Rulemaking is Friday, February 14, 1997.
>
> You can submit formal comments by delivering or mailing five copies
>to: Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room
>239, 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20554. You can also send
>informal comments via email. If your email concerns the question of
>whether Internet and other enhanced service providers should pay access
>charges, it should be addressed to isp@fcc.gov. If your email concerns
>other issues in the Access Reform NPRM, it should be addressed to
>access@fcc.gov.
>
>
>I. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Access Charge Reform
>
> The Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM) on Access Charge Reform
>seeks comment on proposals to restructure the entire system of access
>charges paid to local telephone companies. The Commission is seeking to
>make the access charge system more consistent with the development of
>local competition in the telephone industry, and with principles of
>economic efficiency.
>
> As part of this process, the Commission considered whether enhanced
>service providers, such as ISPs, should be required to pay interstate
>access charges. The Commission tentatively concludes that ISPs should
>not be subject to access charges as currently constituted.
>
> If you want to learn more about this issue you should read
>paragraphs 282 through 290 in the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (the
>rest of the document covers other issues). You can also access this
>document on the FCC's Web site, or you can obtain this section of the
>document by calling our fax on demand system at 202/418-2830 and
>requesting document numbers, 96-262, 94-1, 91-213 and 96-263.
>
> The final deadline for comments on the Notice of Proposed
>Rulemaking is Friday, February 14, 1997.
>
> You can submit formal comments by delivering or mailing five copies
>to: Federal Communications Commission, Office of the Secretary, Room
>239, 1919 M Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20554. You can also send
>informal comments via email. If your email concerns the question of
>whether Internet and other enhanced service providers should pay access
>charges, it should be addressed to isp@fcc.gov. If your email concerns
>other issues in the Access Reform NPRM, it should be addressed to
>access@fcc.gov.
>
>
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