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The policy of the Administration and the Federal Communications
Commission is to continue to exempt Internet service providers from per-minute
access charges. Without such an exemption, Internet access costs to consumers
and businesses could increase dramatically, thereby threatening affordable
Internet access and expanding the digital divide.
Therefore, although the bill enacts current policy, the
Administration supports a permanent ban on per minute access charges and the
thrust of H.R. 1291. As the bill continues through the legislative process,
however, the Administration recommends that the bill be amended to further
clarify that Internet service providers are exempt from all time-based access
charges.
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