Received: by eff.org id AA01103 (5.65c/IDA-1.4.4 for ibt-exploder@eff.org); Wed, 13 Nov 1991 16:19:14 -0500 Date: Wed, 13 Nov 1991 16:19:14 -0500 Message-Id: <199111132119.AA01103@eff.org> Reply-To: ibt Precedence: bulk To: ibt From: van (Gerard Van der Leun) Subject: You can help build the National Public Network. Here's how. [Please post this in your digests/moderated groups if you feel it appropriate] THE NATIONAL PUBLIC NETWORK BEGINS NOW. YOU CAN HELP BUILD IT. Telecommunications in the United States is at a crossroads. With the Regional Bell Operating Companies now free to provide content, the shape of the information networking is about to be irrevocably altered. But will that network be the open, accessible, affordable network that the American public needs? You can help decide this question. The Electronic Frontier Foundation recently presented a plan to Congress calling for the immediate deployment of a national network based on existing ISDN technology, accessible to anyone with a telephone connection, and priced like local voice service. We believe deployment of such a platform will spur the development of innovative new information services, and maximize freedom, competitiveness, and civil liberties throughout the nation. The EFF is testifying before Congress and the FCC; making presentations to public utility commisions from Massachusetts to California; and meeting with representatives from telephone companies, publishers, consumer advocates, and other stakeholders in the telecommunications policy debate. The EFF believes that participants on the Internet, as pioneers on the electronic frontier, need to have their voices heard at this critical moment. To automatically receive a description of the platform and details, send mail to archive-server@eff.org, with the following line: send documents open-platform-overview or send mail to eff@eff.org.