[711] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
FWD>>The dangers are real
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Jean Polly)
Fri Jul 10 12:50:45 1992
Date: Fri, 10 Jul 1992 11:46:03 CDT
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@ricevm1.rice.edu>
From: Jean Polly <polly@lpl.org>
To: Multiple recipients of list PACS-L <PACS-L%UHUPVM1.BITNET@ricevm1.rice.edu>
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>From INTERNET FWD>>The dangers are real
>From @pucc.Princeton.EDU:MISC@TREARN.BITNET Thu Jul 9 08:55:31 1992
Date: Thu, 9 Jul 92 08:13:00 EDT
Reply-To: "Miscellaneous Questions, Requests"
<MISC%TREARN.BITNET@n2ngw.nyser.net>
Sender: "Miscellaneous Questions, Requests"
<MISC%TREARN.BITNET@n2ngw.nyser.net>
From: DNELSON%BENTLEY.BITNET@n2ngw.nyser.net
Subject: The dangers are real
To: Multiple recipients of <MISC%TREARN.BITNET@pucc.Princeton.EDU>
Having just suggested that care should be taken to preserve net access, I
then
received and read the following:
- - The original note follows - -
Received: by PSUVM (Mailer R2.08) id 3277; Sat, 04 Jul 92 19:14:18 EDT
Date: Sat, 4 Jul 1992 19:11:10 CHT
Reply-To: pmason@chasqui.mic.cl
Sender: Canadian Issues Forum <CANADA-L@MCGILL1.BITNET>
>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
Jean Armour Polly INTERNET: polly@LPL.ORG or polly@nysernet.org
Liverpool Public Library OTHER: polly@well.sf.ca.us
Liverpool NY USA VISION: "Don't postpone joy!"
Never underestimate the bandwidth of a minivan full of CD-ROMs.
