🚀 go-pugleaf

Hello Everyone,

This is about ON-LINE TIME & RATES "increase"

Haven't exchanged much with anyone on AOL lately, but I have noticed that
things are a little slower when I do.  Both AOL & the newsgroups have had
problems.  Not sure what  the newsgroup problem is, but it's not the same
as AOL. AOL customers may have problems getting on-line. That's a sign of
"system overload". In time it will be solved, but meanwhile we're getting
new messages from the local Bell companies.

AOL says they will get it fixed, and they will, in time. However the local
phone companies have put out different messages.  They are saying "we need
more money" and have asked FCC to allow them to raise rates. We have a say
in what happens, if we speak up. I've seen several postings on the subject
of sending E-mail to FCC about our thoughts for the need of higher rates.

Here is what's involved. Hope you remember those old movie films about the 
phone operators stretching cords to make connections from one line to that 
next line. That's a small part of the problem, and is easy to fix. That is 
what goes on when making connections within the same exchange.

However, some connections are to a different exchange, and that means more 
cable to the next exchange, and that takes a little longer to fix. If they 
could go out and dig a ditch and install the cable to the next exchange it 
would only take a few weeks.  BUT, there is government paper work for that 
big bug-a-boo, PAPER WORK & PERMITS. That's what takes time, not money.

Even after reaching the next exchange, somewhere a connection is needed to 
get across the country to the next city or state.  Those lines are already 
in place.  AT&T and MCI, as well as others, have already done that. What's 
now slowing things down are the cables between exchanges of the local Bell 
companies. That's why they are trying to raise rates 100 percent when they 
may only need 1%, and I'm not sure they need that.

The line from the exchange to your house is for you to use, and sits there 
till you want it.  Those connecting lines get used over and over, so there 
aren't as many of them as there are for private lines. But with longer and 
longer phone call times they need more connecting lines and the local Bell 
compamies say that means more costs.

However, more and more people now have two private lines which cover those 
additional costs, as well as create the need for them.  I've had two lines 
for over 20 years, because it's common for me to make calls of an hour, or 
more, and I didn't know about "on-line" back then.

Since the local Bell companies work across state lines, they must petition 
the FCC for rate increases, and anyone from any state, has a say in what's 
going to happen.  Speak up and let them know what you think.  The Deadline
is in two weeks, Feb. 21  Don't put it off.

Thankfully the FCC is asking for informal user comments. They even have an
e-mail address for your comment. I'm sending this to encourage you to make
your opinions known. Here is where you can get more info:

   FCC website URL:  http://www.fcc.gov

   FCC website on this proposal:  http://www.fcc.gov/isp.html

   FCC e-mail address for comments:  isp@fcc.gov

   Pass it on. The Deadline is in two weeks, Feb. 21  Don't put it off.

John

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    #  John Wm Sloniker    <johnwms@cyberspace.com>     Seattle, WA  #
    #   (206) 789-6663       7323 - 19th Ave. NW        98117-5612   #
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