Before this gets out of hand.  I forwarded this to a local echo here in
Rockford and now Jr-msg.  Ken Lacapria of Region11 checked this out and here
are the results.  The FCC rumor is FALSE according to this!!!!!!!

 * Original to All @ 1:11/518.0
 * Forwarded 10 Jan 90  06:57:22 by Steve See @ 1:11/518.0

 * Original to Sara Jones @ 1:11/518.0
 * Forwarded 04 Jan 90  23:03:13 by Steve See @ 1:11/518.0

NOTICE:

RUMOR ON PROPOSED FCC RULE


A rumor is making the BBS rounds that the FCC is considering a proposed rule
to assess a surcharge on personal computer modem users accessing the nation's
telephone network.

THIS RUMOR IS FALSE!

A telephone call to Ms Jerri Payton, Common Carrier Division, FCC, Telephone:
(202) 632-7553, on 29 Dec 89, to find out what the proposed rule number was.
Ms Payton stated no such rule is under consideration. A similar rule, which
was turned down, was proposed over two years ago.  No similar rules are
pending or planned.

Over 57 people wrote in to the FCC so far about this rumored rule.  The vast
majority failed to provide their return address so the FCC can't respond to
them.


The FCC plans to issue a press release on either Friday, 12/29/89, or Tuesday,
01/02/89, discounting the rumor.  The press release will be provided to both
the national and local media.

Help put this rumor to rest.  Please pass on this message to any other BBS
sysop who unsuspectingly posted this rule proposal on their BBS.  There's no
sense getting the FCC upset at modem users by answering a bunch of unneeded
letters generated by a rumor when we may need the FCC's help in the future on
real regulatory issues.

***********************************
The above message was uploaded to me from a caller to my system who made the
call to the FCC.
***********************************

--- FD 1.99b
 * Origin: FREE_HAM Conference Moderator (1:234/1)