This is a e-mail and reply from Congressman Vic Snider Arkansas regarding charges for using the internet, that some have been concerned about. ---------- From: dturner[SMTP:dturner@conwaycorp.net] Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 1998 1:40 PM To: Snyder Public Mail Subject: Internet Is there a bill before congress to charge for using the internet, Equal to a Long Distance call each time you access the Internet? If so this type of charge should be paid by the Telephone Company the Long Distance service or the Internet provider because the users already paying for this service. Danny Turner _______________ Dear Danny: Thank you for contacting me regarding stories you heard about Congress or the FCC imposing per-minute usage charges on consumer access to Internet Service Providers through their local phone companies. I am pleased to report that neither Congress nor the FCC has any intention of assessing per minute charges on Internet traffic or of making any changes in the way consumers obtain and pay for access to the Internet. The FCC told me that this rumor started out of the debate over how competing local phone companies will compensate each other for connecting each others' local calls. However, the FCC assures me that no matter how this dispute is resolved, it still will not result in consumers being charged for access to Internet Service Providers that offer local connections. Sincerely - Vic Snyder