Connectivity Providers Database

From: DNELSON%BENTLEY.BITNET@n2ngw.nyser.net To: Multiple recipients of <MISC%TREARN.BITNET@pucc.Princeton.EDU> Date: Thu, 9 Jul 92 08:13:00 EDT Having just suggested that care should be taken to preserve net access, I then received and read the following: - - The original note follows - - Date: Sat, 4 Jul 1992 19:11:10 CHT From: "Patricio Mason" <pmason@CHASQUI.MIC.CL> Subject: Network user fees To: Gerald Phillips <GMP@PSUVM.BITNET> A while ago, several members of the list debated the issue of user fees for access to computer networks such as the Internet. Most were rightly adamant that charging for use would have an incalculably detrimental effect. I thought you might like to know that here in Chile this scenario has suddenly become reality. Our Internet hookup is run by CONICYT, (National Council on Science and Technology) a government body. Recently, all users of the Internet, including universities, were notified that starting July 1st, there will be a minimum monthly rate plus a charge per megabyte of international traffic, with 18% sales tax on top. This is a reversal of an earlier decision whereby only a flat rate was charged, regardless of traffic. Both the minimum rate and the charge per megabyte are measured in units roughly equivalent to CDN$31.00 each, i.e., 10 MB of traffic equals CDN$310.00, plus the minimum rate, plus tax. The minimum monthly wage in this country is 38,000 pesos, roughly CDN$134.00. Although the CONICYT decision was sanctioned by Chile's Council of Rectors (university and college presidents), the academic community and other users such as NGOs, non-profit groups and private individuals are stunned and outraged. Needless to say, most university presidents are not users and simply chose from a limited set of options presented to them by administrators and CONICYT functionaries. This may very well mean that university professors will have to obtain clearance from department heads before replying to colleagues abroad or accepting mail from them. Since every byte will cost universities a pretty penny, it may also mean that students will be prevented from sending or receiving international messages. Few will be allowed to do FTP or Telnet. For outside e-mail users such as private individuals and non-profit groups, the high cost will probably entail reducing or eliminating use altogether. Access to the Internet is slightly wider here. High rates mean that only those who can afford them, i.e., government and corporate users, will have the run of the system. Although one of the consequences of the worldwide computer revolution has been to empower the individual as a counterbalance to the unbridled power of governments and corporations, the CONICYT decision in Chile means that those outside the circles of political or financial power will be left out. There is no Internet affiliate that I know of which charges on the basis of traffic volume. Universities are reeling from the implications: just figuring out who is to be billed for what, plus the processign and billing aspects, will most certainly prove an administrative nightmare. A whole new bureaucracy will have to be created at CONICYT and elsewhere to handle this. There is an international write-in campaign on to try to get CONICYT to reverse this decision and discard the notion of charging per amount of traffic. Along with members of the academic community within Chile, the members of CHILE-L --Chilean academics, students and others scattered throughout the world-- are leading this campaign. As a (albeit silent) member of CANADA-L and Internet user, I thought I'd tell you of this and try to enlist your support. If this type of mentality is allowed to prevail, it will certainly set a precedent. If you would like to help, please write a respectful note to CONICYT, the National Council on Science and Technology of Chile, stating your views on this issue. Notes should be sent to Mr. Alberto Cabezas and/or Mr. Florencio Utreras at acabezas@uchdciux.seci.uchile.cl futreras@uchdciux.seci.uchile.cl CONICYT may also be reached at: Canada 308 2o Piso Providencia Santiago, Chile Tel.: (562) 274-4537, 204-7541, 204-7542, 204-7566 I will be glad to provide further information to anyone interested. And of course, feel free to cross-post. Thanks in advance. Patricio Mason (Carleton/U of T) Santiago, Chile pmason@chasqui.mic.cl