An important  notice to any and all Modem users

      **********************************************************
 
      * * *  THIS COULD AFFECT ALL PERSONS WHO USE MODEMS  * * *

      **********************************************************

        A copy of this text is available for download in the
              * * *  Communications Files Room  * * *
                       Under the file name of
            
                            FCC_PROP.ASC

      **********************************************************

           The FCC is attempting to make you pay as much as
           $6 per hour additionally to your network usage!!!
           *************************************************

 Two years ago the FCC tried and (with your help and letters of protest)
failed to institute regulations that would impose additional costs on
modem users for data communications.

 Now, they are at it again.  A new regulation that the FCC is quietly
working on will directly affect you as the user of a computer and modem.
The FCC proposes that users of modems should pay extra charges for use
of the public telephone network which carry their data.  In addition,
computer network services such as CompuServ, Tymnet, & Telenet would
also be charged as much as $6.00 per hour per user for use of the public
telephone network.  These charges would very likely be passed on to the
subscribers.  The money is to be collected and given to the telephone
company in an effort to raise funds lost to deregulation.

 Jim Eason of KGO newstalk radio (San Francisco, Ca) commented on the
proposal during his afternoon radio program during which, he said he
learned of the new regulation in an article in the New York Times. Jim
took the time to gather the addresses which are given below.

 Here's what you should do (NOW!):

 1- Pass this information on.  Find other BBS's that are not carrying
    this information.  Upload the ASCII text into a public message on
    the BBS, and also upload the file itself so others can easily get
    a copy to pass along.

 2- Print out three copies of the letter which follows (or write your
    own) and send a signed copy to each of the following:

         Chairman of the FCC
         1919 M Street N.W.
         Washington, D.C. 20554

         Chairman, Senate Communication Subcommittee
         SH-227 Hart Building
         Washington, D.C. 20510

         Chairman, House Telecommunication Subcommittee
         B-331 Rayburn Building
         Washington, D.C. 20515


 Here's a "sample" text for your letters. PLEASE don't use it word-for-word
as it may not be taken seriously if these agencies percieve your letter as
a clone of a form letter.

   Dear Sir,

    Please allow me to express my displeasure with the FCC proposal
   which would authorize a surcharge for the use of modems on the
   telephone network. This regulation is nothing less than an attempt
   to restrict the free exchange of information among the growing
   number of computer users. Calls placed using modems require no
   special telephone company equipment, and users of modems pay the
   phone company for use of the network in the form of a monthly bill.
   In short, a modem call is the same as a voice call and therefore
   should not be subject to any additional regulation.

   Sincerely,
   [your name, address and signature]



 It is important that you act now.  The bureaucrats already have it in
their heads that modem users should subsidize the phone company and are
now listening to public comment. Please stand up and make it clear that
we will not stand for any government restriction on the free exchange of
information.

Thanks for your help.
t clear that
we will not stand for any gov