When the internet first launched, it was slow, clogged up phone lines and was most certainly not cheap. In fact, most Internet service providers (ISP) charged a flat rate access fee that included 20 hours a month of internet time. After twenty-hours of use, the ISP’s charged an additional per-hour fee. Suppose in 1995, Charter charged a flat rate of $39.95 for the first twenty hours of service and an additional per-hour charge of $5.99.