Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

["Tony Spencer" <tony AT tonyspencer.com>]

I got the same letter.

An even bigger scam in my mind is the ridiculous price for 'business' DSL.
I am moving to a new office this week and was amazed to find that 'business'
DSL runs $79.95 per month for the exact same service I get in my home.  NO
static IP. 

I thought I could be slick and order online as a residence but it recognizes
the phone number as business and slaps me in the face.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: internetworkers-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org 
> [mailto:internetworkers-bounces AT lists.ibiblio.org] On Behalf 
> Of Alan MacHett
> Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2004 6:49 PM
> To: internetworkers AT lists.ibiblio.org
> Subject: [internetworkers] BellSouth Scam
> 
> Bend over and take it till you bleed.  We're BellMafia and we 
> can do whatever the $%#* we want!
> 
> I just got this lovely letter from BS.  I am primarily 
> concerned with the first part of the letter.  Although we're 
> talking about less than $3 per month, I was skeptical.  My 
> analysis of it follows the letter:
> 
> /BEGIN/
> Dear BellSouth FastAccess Customer:
> 
> We hope you are enjoying your FastAccess Service.  It is our 
> pleasure to provide your high-speed Internet service, and we 
> thank you for subscribing.
> 
> We are writing to inform you that BellSouth will begin 
> charging a regulatory cost recovery fee of $2.97 per month 
> for your FastAccess Service.  This fee is intended to offset 
> the cost BellSouth incurs in complying with regulatory 
> obligations and includes the recovery of the Federal 
> Universal Service Charge.  This regulatory cost recovery fee 
> is not a tax or a charge imposed by a government entity.  
> Please be aware that this new line item will appear on your 
> monthly FastAccess bill effective March 26, 2004.
> 
> In addition, if you signed up for BellSouth FastAccess Service between
> 9/1/03 and 3/26/04, you may be receiving special pricing 
> based on where you reside.  BellSouth will discontinue this 
> special pricing effective March 26, 2004.  You will continue 
> to keep your current pricing after this date; however, 
> changed to your FastAccess service plan after March 26 may 
> result in the loss of special geographical pricing.
> 
> BellSouth is committed to helping you maximize your Internet 
> experience. 
> It is our goal to provide you with a quality product as well 
> as the best possible customer service.  Than you again for 
> choosing BellSouth FastAccess Internet Service.
> /END/
> 
> [1] In the second paragraph they contradict themselves by 
> saying it's a cost incurred by complying with regulatory 
> obligations, yet it's not "imposed by a government entity".
> 
> [2] I did some online searching and finally called the 
> Federal Communications Commission's Consumer Information 
> Bureau, at 1-888-225-5322.  I had to listen to a lengthy, but 
> informative, spiel about the Universal Service Fund, but ...
> http://bellsouth.broaddaylight.com/bellsouth/FAQ_41_389.shtm
> http://www.fcc.gov/wcb/universal_service/welcome.html
> http://ftp.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/usfincrease.html
> 
> [3] ...she had some interesting comments on my query:
>     [a] $2.97 seemed high to her, and
>     [b] when I mentioned it being applied to my DSL bill, she 
> said that was the first time she'd ever heard of that.
> 
> Of course, I'm going to call or write BellShaft to contest this crap. 
> They can just kiss my ass.
> 
> -Alan
> 
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