Date: Sat, 28 Dec 1996 02:35:29 -0500 (EST) From: "James M. Cobb" <jcobb@ahcbsd1.ovnet.com> To: jcobb@ahcbsd1.ovnet.com Subject: DAVID AWAKES! 12 28 96

Friend,

12 27 96 San Francisco Examiner distributes a newsstory headlined:

INTERNET SERVICE COMPANIES WIN VICTORY WHEN FEDS DROP ACCESS FEES

The story reports:

The FCC is in the process of making sweeping changes to connection, or access, fees that could result in a huge drop in phone rates for residential and busi- ness customers.

The FCC's counsel for new technology, Kevin Werbach, says that as part of that process:

"The commission raised the specific question of wheth- er [ISPs] should pay access charges.... [The FCC] ten- tatively concluded that the answer is 'no'."

That tentative conclusion tallies with FCC past practice:

In 1983, the FCC exempted Internet providers from pay- ing the same kind of per-minute access charges that long-distance companies pay to connect to local cus- tomers.

The story reports the Internet Access Coalition has:

...assiduously pressed the FCC for weeks to ensure that Internet users have access to a low, flat month- ly rate.

Who are some of these IAC good guys?

...Intel, Apple Computer, Netscape Communications, A- merica Online, IBM, AT&T, Digital Equipment and Compaq Computer....

The story reports that the FCC connection-fees process:

...to trim the $23.4 billion in annual fees that long- distance carriers pay local phone companies...is expec- ted to be formally approved in the spring following public hearings.

We'll see what happens when the tentatives roll around!

The tentatives?

This latest FCC decision and the PROMISE of "a low, flat monthly rate" --maybe even for end-users.

Cordially,

Jim

NOTE. The newsstory's URL:

http://www.nando.net/newsroom/ntn/info/122796 /info3_20620.html

Wire services contributed to the Examiner's story.

This critical essay was composed 12 27 96.

Jim Bell jimbell@pacifier.com