Courtesy John Molnar, SYSOP, Rainbow BBS, Albany, N.Y.



R:881025/0714z 2348@KA5EJX [Lubbock, Texas]
R:881024/1931z @:WG5F Midland, Texas #:5385 Z:79707

To whom it SHOULD concern!
Due to the following The ***CONNECTion no longer exists!
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The following is the text of a letter sent to me by Southwestern Bell
Telephone Company. Similar letters were sent to all sysops of all
BBS's in the state of Texas that Southwestern Bell could identify:
-------
October 4, 1988
CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT
.
Edward T. Hopper
5506 Beverly Hill #3
Houston, Texas   77056
.
Re: (713) 782-5454
.
Dear Mr. Hopper,
.
It has come to our attention that your account was classified, in error,
as residential service. The appropriate classification for bulletin
board service providers is *business* and the appropriate business
rates apply.
.
We will not back bill you for the past underbilling due to the misclass-
ification of your account. However, effective with your next monthly
bill dated October 21, 1988, your account will be revised to reflect
the appropriate business classification, and your monthly business
rate will be $32.85 per month.
.
We apologize for this error and any inconvenience this may have caused.
Should you have any questions regarding your account, please call your
local service representative on (713) 561-2766.
.
Sincerely,
.
Andrea Prothow
Service Representative
Marketing Operations
----
The preceding is a transcript of a letter I received today, 10/12/88.
Ed Hopper
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  To: ALL                           Refer#: NONE
From: DAVID COONS                     Read: (N/A)
Subj: SW BELL, BBSS, AND HAMS       Status: PUBLIC MESSAGE
This is another message from Ed Hopper's BBS that talks about SW
Bell, BBSs, and ham radio operators (!).
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Date: 10-11-88 (17:11)              Number: 7688
  To: ALL                           Refer#: NONE
From: REGINALD HIRSCH                 Read: (N/A)
Subj: TARIFF UPDATE                 Status: PUBLIC MESSAGE
                       OCTOBER 11, 1988
RE:      UPDATE OF ACTIVITY
FOR:     IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION OF ALL SYSOP'S STATE OF TEXAS
ORIGIN:  YE OLD BAILEY, HOUSTON, TEXAS
DATA:    1-713-520-1569
This is to advise all concerned individuals that on this date
there was a telephone communication with the Texas Public Utili-
ties Commission and was I informed that the Commission was aware 
of Southwestern Bell's decision to reclassify all bulletin boards
in the State of Texas from a residential to a business rate.  I 
was further advised that an individual has the right to object to 
said rate increase by the filing of a formal written complaint.  I 
have ordered by Federal Express today, copies of the various 
regulations and statutes pertaining to the Texas Public Utilities 
Commission complaint process.  More information will be 
forthcoming upon receipt of that information.  In my conversations 
with the Texas Public Utilities Commission spokesperson I deter-
mined that the single issue of an increase from residential to 
business rates for bulletin boards in the State of Texas has not 
been addressed by the Texas Public Utilities Commission before.  
In addition I learned from the Texas Public Utilities Commission 
spokesperson that Southwestern Bell may very well treat all 
individuals who provide "services" as defined by Southwestern Bell 
to include bulletin boards and amateur radio operators.  This is 
the first time to my knowledge that I had heard that Texas amateur 
radio operators may also be the receipent of a rate increase made 
by Southwestern Bell.
In addition, the Houston Chronicle has contacted me and other 
individuals and a story will appear in Wednesday, October 12, 1988 
Houston Chronicle newspaper concerning our plight.
Finally, a reminder that the notice of meeting is still scheduled 
for October 27, 1988 at Noon at 1980 Post Oak Boulevard, Suite
1780, Houston, Texas  77056.  Please call Sandy to confirm in 
order that arrangements can be made as space is limited.  Phone 
No. (713) 961-7800.  Your distribution to other sysops is appre-
ciated.
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