I somewhat doubt the below is correct in their believing their actions are the reasons for the anti-Internet-phone move. The recent announcement by 2 New Jersey companies of a service whereby someone with a computer linkup can call someone without it (on Reuters on Yahoo) would appear to be a better explanation. -Allen From: Francisco Lopez <d005734c@dcfreenet.seflin.lib.fl.us> Date: Thu, 7 Mar 1996 23:31:18 -0600 From: Gleason Sackman <sackman@plains.nodak.edu> To: Multiple recipients of list NET-HAPPENINGS <NET-HAPPENINGS@LISTS.INTERNIC.NET> Subject: MISC> 'VON/FWD/IPHONE' ACTIVITIES CONSIDERED "MISUSE OF THE INTERNET" - BY ACTA (130 USA Long Distance Telephone Carriers) Date: Wed, 6 Mar 1996 21:00:08 -0500 (EST) From: Jenny Jacobson <jenny@dsl.pitt.edu> ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 6 Mar 1996 15:03:07 -0500 (EST) From: Sandy Combs <scombs@together.net> To: free-world-dialup@pulver.com Subject: [Free World Dialup]: 'VON/FWD/IPHONE' ACTIVITIES CONSIDERED "MISUSE OF THE INTERNET" - BY ACTA (130 USA Long Distance Telephone Carriers) ******************************************************* VON ALERT -- FWD ALERT --IPHONE ALERT -- NETWATCH ALERT ******************************************************* It appears that our recent FREE WORLD DIALUP press release was the straw that broke the camel's back. The FCC was petitioned yesterday by ACTA "TO STOP MISUSE OF THE INTERNET". The sale and use of Voice-On-the-Net (VON) software is being challenged by 130 of the USA's largest long distance telephone carriers. Among them, MCI, SPRINT, and LDDS. According to the ACTA press release: "A growing number of companies are selling software programs with ancillary hardware options that enable a computer to transmit voice conversations. This, in fact, creates the ability to "by-pass" local, long distance and international carriers and allows for calls to be made for virtually 'no cost.'" And also, "...the misuse of the Internet as a way to "by-pass" the traditional means of obtaining long distance service could result in a significant reduction of the Internet's ability to transport its ever enlarging amount of data traffic." 'VON' COALITION BEING FORMED A VON Coalition is currently being formed and members will testify at the spring meeting of the FCC when they discus telephony issues. If you don't want to loose your right to VON technology, NOW is the time to be counted. WHAT CAN I DO? We need an immediate head count of those on these lists that CARE ENOUGH TO BECOME INVOLVED! Subscribe RIGHT NOW to this SPECIAL VON Coalition list: vonYES@pulver.com To subscribe: VON Coalition List 1) send E-MAIL to: majordomo@pulver.com 2) leave the SUBJECT blank 3) in the BODY write - subscribe vonyes To subscribe: VON Coalition List Digest 1) send E-MAIL to: majordomo@pulver.com 2) leave the SUBJECT blank 3) in the BODY write - subscribe vonyes-digest Further discussions regarding the VON Coalition will be posted to the above only. If you DO NOT act TODAY, your rights and FREE TELEPHONE via the internet may well be lost! Jeff Pulver Sandy Combs [your name here] (Press Release distribution authorized by, Jennifer Durst-Jarrell, Executive Director, ACTA 3/5/96)