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A new Internet service which touted itself as free in fact charges users an annual fee of $39.95.
Surf4nix.com spokesman Aaron Brett said the company would work on the same principle as free-to-air television, with the service paid for by advertising.
But the new site, launched on midnight Tuesday, asks users to pay an annual fee of $39.95 for free access for the rest of the year.
Mr Brett yesterday agreed there was an annual "membership" fee to join but said the company had not tried to mislead people.
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