First comes this:
>>We're regarding them as long-distance companies in Internet clothing and they're required to pay access charges," said BellSouth spokesman John Schneidawind.<<
Then comes this:
>>AT&T Corp. is imposing a new monthly fee of up to 95 cents on its residential customers, saying it needs to recover the cost of completing long-distance calls to local phone networks.<<
Now these have to be related. Don't you think? AT&T must be getting slapped with fees for it's World Net service(just a pure guess) and needs to recover those fees? Or does AT&T use an IP network for their discount calling plans (I doubt this). Plus, whatever happened to Qwest and having to pay local access to fees to some RBOCs?
I always thought that when the fees start coming, it would be a major stumbling block for the new network buildout. Now, since it's so buried, maybe most users won't even know it's happening and will pay Internet tax, and won't even know it. It is all pretty confusing and not widely followed.
What amazes me the most, is all this is going on in a heavily regulated environment, and the FCC doesn't respond. I wonder if that's how those dozens of incomprehensible items get on our phone bills? I'm sure they don't mind receiving any extra fees, charged by anyone, as long as they ultimately get it and their is no public outcry.
Francis and Frank, You guys know a lot more than me. Am I totally off base?
Thanks,
MikeM(From Florida) |
