Every once in a while, a series of chain letters makes the rounds, saying that the FCC is considering telephone companies' request to make changes in the way ISPs must charge for Internet access which, if the FCC supported the telephone companies arguments, would lead to a big increase in access costs, because per-minute charges might be added to Internet access fees, putting Web surfing out of reach for most people.

Every one of the chain letters I've seen has been inaccurate, referring to webpages and an e-mail address that aren't currently valid. This issue was considered in 1996, and closed in 1997, and the information in the chains referred to that case. Here's the old FCC page. Here's their most recent page, Answers from FCC Chairman William E. Kennard to Questions Concerning the Action Taken by the FCC on February 25, 1999, Concerning Reciprocal Compensation for Dial-up Internet Traffic.

Note: this issue is currently dead.

 

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