PARTY MAY BE ENDING FOR UNLIMITED NET USE.

Byline: Elizabeth Weise Associated Press

Time is running out for Internet users who meander for hours without worrying about the bill.

All-you-can-eat pricing plans allow on-line lingering that leaves others with long waits for connections. For some, particularly businesses that rely on e-mail, the tie-ups are intolerable.

In some corners of the Net flat rates already have come and gone. Instead, Internet access companies are charging more, even by the hour, but promising reliable connections.

Netcom On-line Communications Service Inc. of San Jose, a pioneer of the flat-rate price, plans to announce a return to hourly rates next month. Others, while still allowing unlimited usage, are charging double the going rate to keep lines open.

Consultants at the Gartner Group predict that in three years the meter will be running for three-quarters of all Internet service.

America Online, with 6.5 million members, just a month ago started offering a flat rate, a step some blame for the current logjam.