I don't normally pass notes like this along, but it concerns phone
companies wanting to impose a per-minute charge for internet services.
This is something that would certainly affect our service-learning center,
but more importantly, the schools and non-profits we work with. There's an
e-mail address at the bottom to which you can voice your views.
>>>X-Sender: dgillam@mail.vt.edu
>>>Date: Mon, 10 Feb 1997 10:59:54 +0500
>>>To: GillamD@bah.com, dmorin, bmahl, cabrown2, mgili, kakenne3, dakane,
>>> gillamd@ogn.af.mil, alangley, 1036jog@listserv.vt.edu,
>>> danders5@osf1.gmu.edu, hekrause, jobrown8, jrushing, kecampbe, meng,
>>> igivehugs, ptjordan@runet.edu, brorrer, rgwinn, jerrew@fls.infi.net,
>>> gergi, ajordan@runet.edu
>>>From: Denise Gillam <d3@vt.edu>
>>>Subject: Phone Company -Forwarded
>>>
>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Yesterday I got a notice from the Computer User's Group that most of the
>>>>>>phone companies are petitioning the FCC to impose a per-minute charge
>>>>>>for internet use. Guesstimates range from 4-5 cents per minute for the
>>>>>>large companies up to 40 cents for the smaller ones. They contend that
>>>>>>internet usage has/will hinder operation of the telephone network.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>The FCC has set up an email box for comments -- all replies must be in
>>>>>>by Feb. 13. The address is isp@fcc.gov.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>You'll notice the public hasn't been told about this -- the Computer
>>>>>>User's Group requested help in spreading the word so we'll have a
>>>>>>chance to
>>>>>>express our opinions. You know who will be eliminated by these charges --
>>>>>>students, older folks on fixed incomes, the usual "have-nots"! If, after
>>>>>>I've finally managed to get my computer, they price me out of operation,
>>>>>>I'm going to be really INCENSED!!
>>>>>>
>>>>>>With the number of computers in the U.S, increasing daily, a monthly
>>>>>>charge of $1 would provide a healthy amount. Those prices are
>>>>>>outrageous!!
>>>>>>And it would certainly bring to a screeching halt the current spread of
>>>>>>computer technology and commercial use to the general public.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>PLEASE FORWARD THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYONE YOU KNOW!
>>>>>>>>AND SEND YOUR RESPONSES TO THE FCC AT: isp@fcc.gov.
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
Marcy H. Schnitzer
Placement Coordinator
The Service-Learning Center at Virginia Tech
202 Major Williams Hall
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061-0168
http://ccserver.phil.vt.edu/www/SL/index.html
231-9186 or 231-6964
mhs@vt.edu