Dear [MP], 

I am writing to express my concern about the cost of telephone calls 
for Internet use in this country. 

As you know, Internet access in the UK is provided through local 
telephone calls, charged per minute.  This is unlike other countries, 
such as the US, where local calls are not individually charged.  
Instead, users pay a flat rate. 

Every time I use the Internet, I pay a minimum connection charge - 
even if the call is disconnected after a couple of seconds because 
of a failure at the other end.  Every minute I am using the Internet, 
even if I am just reading a page I have just downloaded, my telephone 
bill is going up. 

My fear of large phone bills limits my ability to make full use of the 
Internet.  The Internet should be about the freedom to explore - to educate 
and inform, as well as communicate and entertain.  But this is currently 
only possible in the UK if you can afford the potentially huge call 
charges involved. 

I believe that charging people a monthly fee for unlimited use would offer 
greater control over how much they actually pay.  It would provide greater 
access and enable those already online to use the Internet more extensively, 
without needing to worry about whether they can afford the charges.  Other 
countries do it; why can't Britain? 

I would be grateful if you could take this matter up with the Government 
on my behalf, so that the present unfair charging system is replaced. 

Yours sincerely, 




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