From: "Francisco M. De La Vega" Subject: MISC: FCC Rulemaking on Internet Audio Transmissions Date: Thu, 28 Mar 1996 09:49:26 -0500 Message-ID: <315AA6F6.28FA@gene.cinvestav.mx> Organization: CINVESTAV-IPN From: "Francisco M. De La Vega" I am not a US resident and thus I cannot do too much about this, but I think this regulation proposals may be a block to the use of VR worlds for useful purposes. What do you think? Francisco M. De La Vega Mexico City --------------4DC568811775 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline; filename="fcc" From: "V. L. Moberg" Subject: FCC Rulemaking on Internet Audio Transmissions To: Multiple recipients of list VIRTED Status: RO X-Status: ------- Anyone involved in, or contemplating the transmission of digitized audio between computers over the Internet for such purposes as distance teaching, virtual reality telepresence, and audio/video conferencing may wish to become familiar with a March 4th petition by the "America's Carriers Telecommunication Association" (ACTA) to the FCC regarding Internet "telecommunications". This petition appears to broadly define all Internet real-time audio communications between computer users as "telephone calls" and seeks their prohibition. The FCC Common Carrier Bureau responded March 8th with Public Notice Report #2124 requesting comments on the petitioned "Rulemaking No. 8775" with an April 8th deadline. International communications would appear to be affected only if passing through or terminating in the US. Excerpted supplemental information follows: ======================================================================= [ Url: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/WWW/hottopic.html#acta ] Federal Communications Commission Common Carrier Bureau RECENT ACTIONS Comment Sought on ACTA Internet Phone Petition (March 1996) + The Commission has issued a public notice inviting comment on the petition filed by America's Carriers Telecommunication Association (ACTA) seeking a declaratory ruling, special relief, and institution of a rulemaking proceeding dealing with Internet telephony and with FCC regulation of the Internet. Comments are due April 8, 1996, and reply comments are due April 23, 1996. ========================================================================= [ Full text of this petition is at http://www.freetel.com/fccpet.htm ] THE PROVISION OF INTERSTATE AND INTERNATIONAL INTEREXCHANGE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICE VIA THE "INTERNET" BY NON-TARIFFED, UNCERTIFIED ENTITIES AMERICA'S CARRIERS TELECOMMUNICATION ASSOCIATION ("ACTA"), Petitioner ... [ The potential regulatory scope is defined ] (48) Telecommunications.--The term "telecommunications" means the transmission, between or among points specified by the user, of information of the user's choosing, without change in the form or content of the information as sent and received. ... [ An example is given of the type of communications to be prohibited ] The software enables users to audibly talk with one another in real-time. Respondents make a one-time charge for the software, but users incur no other charges for making local or long distance telephone calls to any other "Internet Phone" user in the world (except for whatever the user already pays monthly to whomever provides them Internet access). ... [ Some justifications given for regulation in the public's interest ] The Internet is a unique form of wire communication. It is a resource whose benefits are still being explored and whose value is not fully realized. Its capacity is not, however, infinite. The misuse of the Internet as a way to bypass the traditional means of obtaining long distance service could result in a significant reduction of the Internet's ability to handle the customary types of Internet traffic. ... Absent action by the Commission, the new technology could be used to circumvent restrictions traditionally found in tariffs con cerning unlawful uses, such as gambling, obscenity, prostitution, drug traffic, and other illegal acts. ... [ In conclusion ] Permitting long distance service to be given away is not in the public interest. Therefore, ACTA urges the Federal Communi- cations Commission ("the Commission") to exercise its jurisdic- tion in this matter and: issue a declaratory ruling establishing its authority over interstate and international telecommuni- cations services using the Internet; grant special relief to maintain the status quo by immediately stop the sale of this software; and institute rulemaking proceedings defining permissi- ble communications over the Internet. ------- --------------4DC568811775 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Content-Disposition: inline; filename="fcc2" ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Sun, 24 Mar 1996 10:46:04 -0800 From: Michael Galloway To: Multiple recipients of list VIRTED Subject: Re: FCC Rulemaking on Internet Audio Transmissions This is a letter which I have just sent to the FCC regarding this recent petition. Please, if you have any desire to safeguard the rights of the people in America, and that of the entire Internet, write to the FCC. (Url: http://www.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/WWW/hottopic.html#acta) To Whom it may concern, I am deeply concerned about the implications of the America's Carriers Telecommunication Association Internet Phone Petition. On the surface it would seem as if this petition were designed for benevolent reasons, i.e. to service the majority of our country. However, when one probes deeper into its depths, the truth becomes blindingly obvious. The only benificiary of this petition is the phone companies. Currently it is true that one can communicate over a great distance, using real-time audio, and only have to pay the Internet Service Provider charges. While this will no doubt, in the future when the quality is better, impact long-distance services for phone companies, the solution cannot be prohibition. If this "If-I-Can't-Have-It-No-One-Can" behavior were acceptable, then e-mail should be outlawed for the same reason, for it must be impacting stamp purchases. Any online refference information should be removed, downloadable files, or transferable files should also be removed. Anything that might limit, or challenge, the profits of a large industry or corporation should be removed. That is what this petition is saying. Intially it is refering to long distance phone calls, however it can be used as a foundation for the dismanteling of the very freedoms, which the paying customers who use the Internet, hold dear. In the end progress is slowed, and our future is darkened, all because of greed. This is a matter which I hope receives much criticism and resentment from the people of these United States, as they are the ones who will ultimatly lose, if this petition passes. Sincerely, Michael R. Galloway --------------4DC568811775--