From: koopman@sgi84.ctc.com (Michael G. Koopman) Subject: Re: ADMIN: Threat to the Internet in America (incorrect scare message) Date: Mon, 7 Jun 93 13:24:07 -0400 Looks like I may have jumped the gun, don't ask me who is stating the Big Lie for this week - but this one seems legit. Sorry for wasting bandwidth on a pyramid, scare mail plan, or whatever. I hate bad hacks, harrrumph, ouch. Mike K. To: Multiple recipients of list IPCT-L From: "Selden E. Ball, Jr." Gentle folk, It is not appropriate to forward untrue scare messages like the previous. I am appending the response posted by Steve Wolfe, the person responsible for NSF network funding. Selden E. Ball, Jr. Cornell University Voice: +1-607-255-0688 Laboratory of Nuclear Studies FAX: +1-607-255-8062 Wilson Synchrotron Lab BITNET: SEB@CRNLNS Judd Falls & Dryden Road Internet: SEB@LNS61.TN.CORNELL.EDU Ithaca, NY, USA 14853-8001 HEPnet/SPAN: LNS61::SEB = 44283::SEB ==================== Date: Mon, 07 Jun 93 07:45:48 EDT From: Stephen Wolff Subject: panic in the streets... To: com-priv@psi.com Someone has evidently papered the world with "INTERNET FREE ACCESS THREATENED" messages. This is my response to the first one I saw. -s > Most of you are probably aware of a plan to limit free use of > INTERNET to "scientists" transmitting huge files and to start > charging for e-mail. Apparently, this is the result of private > telecommunications interests putting pressure on the National > Science Foundation. > > If this plan is realized, it will mean that the majority of the > approximately 15 million users of INTERNET will be cut off. > Sadly, this is occurring just when the potential of this network > was starting to be realized. > > Something must be DONE. We can not let private interests deprive > us of access to INTERNET. > > I suggest that all concerned users register their protest/concern > directly with Clinton and Gore via e-mail. Their e-mail address > have recently been posted and they are: > > Clinton= PRESIDENT@WHITEHOUSE.GOV > Gore = VICE.PRESIDENT@WHITEHOUSE.GOV > > In addition, I also suggest that we identify the office in the > NSF which is responsible for INTERNET and register electronic > protests with them. > > Any help or suggestions would be appreciated, especially in > locating the e-mail address for the office in the NSF. This is the responsible office in the NSF, and I am the responsible person. There is no "plan to limit free use of INTERNET..." In the first place, there is no such thing as "free use of INTERNET". Each and every institution with Internet access pays a service provider real money every year for the institution's connection. Most institutions do not however trickle those charges down to users, but pay for them out of general operating funds. Service providers, most of whom serve a limited geographical area, attain national and international coverage via the NSFNET BackBone Service, which has hitherto been centrally funded by an award to Merit, Inc. and provided to the regional service providers at no charge. Since the beginning of the current NSFNET Backbone Service in 1987, a lively and competitive commercial market in Internet carriage has emerged, with multiple vendors offering robust, nationwide, commodity-level services. Continued centralized funding of a Backbone Service by the Foundation is no longer justified, as it would place the Federal government in direct competition with the private sector. Awards made under the currently active solicitation will include awards to regional networks to purchase backbone service on the open market. That is, the NSF will switch from supplier funding to user funding. The NSF is committed to continuity of network service to the research and education community; we will take whatever steps are necessary to assure it.