FCC Regulation -- yet another "forgery" but fun to read

[David Farber <farber@central.cis.upenn.edu>]

Date: Thu, 25 Aug 1994 14:42:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Brock N. Meeks" <brock@well.sf.ca.us>
Subject: Re: FCC Regulation
To: Stephanie Faul <sfaul@cap.gwu.edu>
Cc: com-priv@psi.com


This "news report" is total bullshit.  You've been had.


Brock Meeks
CyberWire Dispatch


>Posted-Date: Thu, 25 Aug 1994 15:32:33 -0400
>Date: Thu, 25 Aug 1994 14:02:42 -0400 (EDT)
>From: Stephanie Faul <sfaul@cap.gwu.edu>
>Subject: FCC Regulation
>To: com-priv@psi.com
>Mime-Version: 1.0
>
>
>
>
>I saw this news article today.  These regulations look pretty strict to
>me.
>I'm not sure I like this idea.  What do you all think?
>
>
>----- Begin Included Message -----
>
>(UPI) WASHINGTON, DC.  The White House confirmed today that the
>FCC will become the Federal agency to assume responsibility for
>regulating the so-called "Information Super Highway."  Today this
>consists of an autonomous network of computers known collectively
>as the Internet.  Usually reliable sources revealed that the
>government is becoming increasingly apprehensive about the
>Internet's uncontrolled growth and the potential for damage to
>national security.  A highly placed government source was quoted
>as saying "...now anyone with a thousand dollars can obtain the
>computer hardware and software necessary to communicate on the
>Internet.  Irresponsible individuals can easily transmit messages
>worldwide.  Clearly, there is a need for government regulation."
>
>     In response to these concerns the FCC is rumored to be
>preparing restrictive regulations to assure "responsible use" of
>the Internet.  The FCC is reportedly cooperating with other
>national and international agencies to coordinate these
>regulations.  Several former eastern bloc countries and Italy are
>reportedly coordinating their internal regulation planning with
>the FCC.
>
>     Although details are sketchy at this time, these new
>regulations are likely to take the form of some sort of license
>examination for Internet users.  Despite the fact that a costly
>new government bureaucracy will be established, it will likely
>save money in the long run, according to government sources. "A
>single USENET posting may cost hundreds if not thousands of
>dollars, therefore, if licensing reduces such postings by only
>10% the savings will more than recover these additional costs",
>said a highly placed government source.
>
>     Expert government watchers have been able to piece together
>a fairly comprehensive picture of the soon-to-be-proposed license
>requirements. Based upon the past history of the FCC, the test
>will likely consist of three parts:  theory, jurisprudence and
>practice.
>
>     The theory portion of the examination will include written
>examination of the principles of digital logic, elements of
>generic machine language programming, and comprehensive knowledge
>of TCP/IP and network interfacing hardware.
>
>     The jurisprudence portion will assess the candidate's basic
>knowledge of the regulations governing use of the Internet and
>will cover ethical as well as legal issues.  Licensing will
>likely include an "Internet oath" requirement in which the
>candidate will swear to uphold certain basic standards of
>conduct.  Users of the Internet will be required to broadcast
>their license numbers at logon and intermittently after
>connection to the Internet.
>
>     The practice portion of the examination is likely to be the
>most controversial.  Reportedly, all candidates must pass a
>typing skills examination and achieve no less than 40 words per
>minute to obtain a (temporary) novice license. This must be
>raised to 80 words per minute before a regular-status license
>will be  issued. Novices will restricted to operating networked
>computers having speeds of less than 5 Mhz or operation of SLIP
>or dial-up connections of no greater than 2400 baud. (It is
>rumored that the FCC will make 5 Mhz replacement crystals
>available at a nominal charge to temporarily slow computers of
>novice operators).
>
>     The FCC also recognizes that there are conditions when
>terminal emulators are not available.  Therefore, an expert class
>will be established for communication using only numeric keypads
>and bi-digit numeric displays.  Although needing a minimum of
>equipment, this mode will require sending, receiving and manual
>translation of raw ASCII codes.  Guidelines for minimum
>communication rates for this mode have yet to be established
>while the FCC awaits public input.  Although felt to be a
>desirable goal for all users, this class of license will only be
>required by individuals operating wireless (RF) LANS.
>
>     Asked what the effect of proposed regulations would have on
>the Internet, a highly placed official noted that these rules
>"should not be considered prohibitive, as they simply bring
>regulation of the Internet in line with other communication modes
>under FCC governance."  However, the source did feel that such
>regulations should be very helpful in restraining the rapid
>growth of the Internet.
>
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>