Simon Spero <ses@tipper.oit.unc.edu> wrote:

The real complaint of the telephone companies seems to be not that the calls are free, but that the 'whatevers' are not subject to the same tariff regulation that they are. I'm sure it's because they want to be able to lower their fees to the same level to compete. Quit sure.

How can one compare the fees, though? You buy the software (or use a free version of similar software) and get an account with an ISP, and maybe an IRC-type network devoted to Internet phone. Telephone/conferencing over the 'net is different technology than standard telephone. How can they be compared? (The exception maybe if one can route an Internet phone call to regular phone switches.) I notice it's the small LD companies too. The biggies like AT&T and MCI are getting into the ISP business, so they probably don't feel threatened by it. ObCrypto: I don't know. I'm wondering how the FCC or DT Bill will affect the use of uch technologies, since it's pretty easy to plug in good crypto. Rob. --- Send a blank message with the subject "send pgp-key" (not in quotes) to <WlkngOwl@unix.asb.com> for a copy of my PGP key.