Hi All,
I just found this information concerning the issue of per minute
charges. Sounds like the e-mail that has been widely circulated is another
e-mail "junk mail" and has no substance.!

This fact sheet offers informal guidance on an issue that has generated a
great deal of public interest. For more specific details about the
proceedings currently before the Commission, please visit our web site
(http://www.fcc.gov/).
In December 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requested
public comment on issues relating to the charges that Internet Service
Providers (ISPs) and similar companies pay to local telephone companies. On
May 7, 1997, the FCC decided to leave the existing rate structure in place.
In other words, the FCC decided not to allow local telephone companies to
impose per-minute access charged on ISPs.
Please Note: There is no open comment period in this proceeding. If you
have recently seen a message on the Internet stating that in response to a
request from local telephone companies, the FCC is requesting comments to
<isp at fcc.gov> by February 1998, be aware that this information is
inaccurate.