CompuServe Messages

Online Today OLT-201 ONLINE USERS UNITE TO FIGHT FCC PROPOSAL (June 15) It would seem that the online community is not too happy with a recent proposal by the Federal Communications Commission. As reported earlier in Online Today, the FCC has proposed that companies, such as CompuServe, that offer online data transmission services through local telephone loops should have to pay a special "access fee" to hook up to the telephone network. The charges could run as high as $5 an hour per user, which has the potential of boosting the telephone bills of CompuServe subscribers by as much as hundreds of dollars per year. Washington Post computer columnist Michael Schrage, who labels the idea "half-baked" and nothing more than a "smidgeon of foolishness" blended with "a dash of hypocrisy." Schrage says the proposal would only apply to the commercial online services and not the private, corporate-operated systems. Although other types of systems, such as voice communications companies like MCI and Sprint, have to pay similar fees, Schrage maintains that charging the commercial online services and not similarly charging the private services is hypocritical of the FCC. "If the FCC proposed a rule that would double the data communications costs of the Fortune 500 companies with private networks, it would face so much political heat that it'd break its legs backpeddling," writes Schrage, who insists the proposal threatens the immediate future of online services and the network nation. The action, so far, is just a proposal, which means that the public is invited to comment. John Hoffman of the Broadcast Professionals Forum (GO BPFORUM) has said the forum, which specializes in radio and television issues, is a natural place for subscribers to gather to learn more about the situation and organize responses to the FCC. A detailed file, labeled FCC732.NOT in Data Library 9, explains the proposal in more detail. Hoffman told Online Today everyone who uses CompuServe should send in formal comments to the FCC opposing the special access fee. For tips on the most effective way of submitting comments, BP Forum has produced a special file in Data Library 9 (filename is FILE.HLP). For instance, Hoffman says the FCC is most interested in who you are, your interests and a clear, but brief explanation of your opinion and related facts. The facts should only be those that are essential to back up your opinion. For the best results, your comments should be explicit, not ambiguous. Comments should be sent to: Secretary, Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C. 20554. One FCC staff member, who asked not to be identified, told Online Today that substantive, formal comments are the ones that will receive the most attention. Postcards or simple votes expressing your opinion will not do much good. "It really helps if the individual can say how often he or she uses CompuServe, for what purpose the service is used and the direct financial effect it will have. If the comments are well written and submitted formally, they could well be used in the FCC's final report on the matter," the staff member said. Should the FCC receive several thousand comments on the proposal, it will make an impact, and with 300,000 subscribers on CompuServe alone, the online community can make its voice heard on this issue. — Cathryn Conroy