I wrote my Congressman about all this talk of charging us for internet access. Here is his reply. Dear James, Thank you for contacting me regarding your concern that a proposal being considered bt the FCC would charge customers of local telephone companies for Internet use. I appreciate hearing from you and having the benefit of your views. For over two years the FCC has been considering options to solve a dispute between local telephone companies, Under current law, If a customer of one telephone company, calls a customer who belongs to another telephone company, the company which originated the call must compensate the other company for handling the last leg of the telephone call. This "reciprocal compensation" paid by the telephone company is commonly very low, as incoming and outgoing calls between the companies often balance out. Individual state laws govern the amount of compensation that is paid by each telephone company involved. The proposal the FCC is considering involves the amount of compensation paid between telephone companies for calls through Internet Sepvice Providers. There has been some confusion regarding this proposal. This proposal will in no way affect charges customers currently pay for their Internet service. Most states have flat rates for local telephone calls which will prevent local telephone companies from passing onto their customers any excess costs this proposal may incur. In addition, telephone companies have been increasing their business due to many customers purchasing a second phone line specifically for the Internet, which should help compensate for any Cost increase. This proposal has not yet been issued for public comment, and the details are still being ironed out by the FCC. Many constituents have contacted me with concerns that if this proposal is issued, they will have to pay per minute for Internet use. As you know, telephone calls which cross state lines are considered long distance, and are subject to per minute charges. Telephone calls that remain in-state are considerel local, and are decided by state law. Though Internet Service Providers are often locally-based, their connections travel through other states. This has created some confusion over the juruisdiction of the telephone call: whether it should be considered long distance, or local. The FCC has not decided whether to establish these telephone calls as local or long distance. They expect to issue a final proposal within the next few weeks. However, whatever decision they make will not effect charges customers pay for Internet service. Under current law, Internet Service Providers are charged a flat rate for long distance telephone calls. This means that customers who use the Internet are also charged a flat rate, and will not be subject to a per minute charge. Again, thank you for contacting me. Your thoughts and comments are always welcome. With warm regards, I am. Very truly youirs, Bob Barr Member of Congress (7th District, Georgia)