Does it cost more to access overseas sites?

No.

The Internet operates very differently from regular phone calls, or faxes.

You only ever dial one number, LiSP's Dial-in lines.

This is charged just like a regular local phone call. (25c unlimited time, and will appear on your local phone bill)

When you access an overseas website, your computer sends a small message to LiSP's Server, asking it for a remote site.

LiSP's Server then passes this request on to Telstra, with then connects to the US, and then on to wherever the website is.

The remote website then acknowledges your request, and begins sending the webpage back to you, via the US, Telstra, LiSP, until it reaches your Computer.

All this usually takes less than 5 seconds!

Yet, you only every pay the costs of your local phone call, plus your regular account fee to LiSP.