Why Are The 'Free' ISPs Collapsing? (btinternet.com)

Member Name: ansar

Product:	btinternet.com
Date:	19/09/00 (7 review reads)
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I can give one reason as to why some of the ISPs that offer free internet for a one of charge as shutting up.

The reason is good old BT..!!

I am with WorldOnline as my main ISP. I received a letter from them (as well as an email). They explained why some of these ISP were withdrawing their unmetered Internet services.

The main reason being, while we pay a one of charge for the service and then being allowed to use the Net as often as we like without worrying about making a huge bill. However, the ISP are still paying 'per minute' to BT for delivering the service to us.

Fine, so why did the companies start to offer us free access for a fix charge if they knew there were going to have to pay for us per minute?

Well, cos this system was suppose to have changed in June (2000), which then allowed the ISP to pay a fix amount per year to BT for delivering Internet traffic to ports and then other companies could've provided the service for a flat fee. Which would've worked out alot cheaper for the ISPs.

But this system never happened in June due to some agreements/disagreement between Oftel, BT and other licensed operators.

So therefore since this didn't happen in June as yet there are no dates set as to when it might happen.. Obviously some ISP's didn't bother waiting around and just stopped their free Internet Service cos it was costing them too much already.

This isn't really fair is it. We all shouldn't have to transfer over to using BT Internet.. we should have a choice, but BT seem to be killing the competition.!

It makes you wonder wether Altavista are laughing at all this, cos they were supposed to be the first ISP to offer free Net, and as of this result a whole list of othr ISPs started doing the same. However, Altavista backed out before they even started as they never went through with it.

-------------- UPDATED ----------------

>My own ISP 'WorldOnline' has also now fallen victim to this, they no longer are offering the free 24/7 access to Net anymore, their new prices are rediculous..!!

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