Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : FCC Regulations -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Francis Gaskins who wrote (6)	4/11/1998 12:26:00 PM
From: MikeM54321	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 54

FCC Universal Service Report: Two Steps Forward, One Step Sideways DULLES, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 10, 1998--America Online, Inc. (NYSE:AOL - news) today applauded the Federal Communications Commission's Universal Service report for reconfirming the current distinction between regulated telecommunications and unregulated Internet information services. At the same time, the Company cautioned that classifying new telephony services using Internet Protocols as ''telecommunications services'' could slow innovation in those new services. ''We are pleased that the FCC has confirmed its hands-off, market-oriented policy toward the Internet. That approach has allowed consumers to enjoy a vibrant, highly competitive, innovative Internet marketplace,'' said Steve Case, Chairman and CEO of America Online. But we are concerned that applying a different policy toward nascent Internet telephony services will mean a net loss for consumers by slowing the introduction of what as yet is still an unproven technology.''

To: Francis Gaskins who wrote (6)	4/14/1998 11:13:00 AM
From: MikeM54321	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 54

>April 10 -ÿThe Federal Communications Commission on Friday re-affirmed its position that Internet service providers are not the same as telecommunications carriers and thus should not be subject to phone industry regulations. The FCC also said Internet phone calls should not be subject to long-distance access charges, but added that further study is needed to determine if the exemption is justified.< Good news above. They have to be influenced by Clinton/Gore. I sure wish Republicans would take a stand on the issues facing data networking. Maybe they are and press is ignoring them? MikeM(From Florida) ÿ ÿ ÿ ÿ PS Francis, I liked your spreadsheet. But, IMHO, real answer is, everyone loses when FCC gets involved in any aspect of data networking.