In response to the high volume of inquiries about a rumored Internet long-distance charges, Delegate Donna M. Christian-Christensen said Friday that Federal Communications Commission Chairman Bill Kennard will not regulate the Internet.
Kennard said that as long as he is chairman the FCC will not regulate the Internet, a release from the delegate's office said.
The FCC decided last month that a computer user’s dial-up calls to the Internet are interstate communications subject to federal jurisdiction, the release said. This decision resolves a dispute among phone companies over how to compensate each other for Internet connections and how to clarify the role of state and federal regulators. Internet dial-ups have been treated as local calls and the FCC says the decision will not affect how consumers tap into the Internet or how much they pay.
Christensen said her office has received more than 100 e-mail messages on the issue since December. She said she hopes Kennard's statement puts the fears of Internet users to rest.
