Modem Surcharge Rumor, reprinted from CHATT, April 1990

For MCUC Magazine, edited by Cheryn Nunn

"Today I received the following letter from the FCC, which apparently was sent
also to BBS sysops and others who, as I, had recently contacted the FCC
regarding the modem SURCHARGE RUMOR."  QUOTE:  FCC

Common Carrier Bureau  -  Enforcement Division

Informal Complaints and Public Inquiries Branch

In Reply Refer to: 63203 ICB-FS-036 - January 1990

RUMORS REGARDING A COMPUTER MODEM Surcharge

The FCC has received letters from a number of computer modem users expressing
concern about an alleged "proposal" before the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) that would result in a surcharge for the use of computer
modems on the telephone network.

There is NO proposal pending before the FCC that would result in the
application of a surcharge for the use of computer modems on the telephone
network.

The FCC has been informed that various computer bulletin board systems are
encouraging computer modem users to write to the FCC and to their
congressional representatives to oppose this alleged proposal.  The FCC's
Common Carrier Bureau (Bureau) staff has contacted several bulletin board
systems and requested those systems advise their users that there is no
proposal before the FCC at this time regarding a computer modem surcharge. 
Bureau staff is continuing to investigate possible sources of the surcharge
rumors and to distribute correct information to computer modem users.

-FCC-  END QUOTE  (from GROUP HOST on Q-LINK 3/21/90)
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