Stop Congress from Hiking Your ISP Bill (Score 2)

The Bells are fighting to eliminate "reciprocal compensation" fees (amounting up to $12 billion annually) that they owe competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs). They are currently trying to muscle legislation (HR-4445 and S-2902) through Congress that would absolve them of having to pay these fees. The result, if the bills pass, is that Americans will see a rise in their Internet access charges, since the CLECs will have to pass on the lost fees to the millions of Americans who rely on AOL, Earthlink, or other ISPs for their Internet access. So much for narrowing the Digital Divide. This is particularly hypocritical of the Bells since they were the first to advocate reciprocal compensation. Consider what Bell Atlantic said back in 1996: "The most blatant example of a plea for a government handout comes from those parties who urge [regulators] to adopt a reciprocal compensation price of zero [This] would violate the [Telecommunications Act of 1996], the Constitution, and sound economic principles." This is exactly what the Bells are now trying to do -- and it could hurt us all. Write your Congressman! Use: http://www.house.gov/writerep/ Why is everyone missing this HUGE issue? Check out http://www.aispa.org/ for more info.