The new X-Stream (IC24)

Member Name: CyrixDes

Product:	IC24
Date:	10/12/00 (58 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: freephone access, no subscription fee,

Disadvantages: difficult to connect to, slow speeds, 1 hour cut off

IC24 have been around for a while now and have got themselves a decent reputation as they have become the new X-Stream. They offer people free internet access with no call charges for nothing. Obviously there are restrictions as anyone would expect with such a service but the important point is you can surf without paying BT a penny.

The deal is that you go to www.ic24.net and create an account with them. Then once you have an IC24 username and password, you can signup to their free call offer. You download the software and once signed up you are ready to go.

The offer is that during weekdays (Mon-Fri) you can use the free call IC24 dialup between the hours of 8pm-12pm. During weekends you can dialup between 9am and 5pm. Although the service is restricted to these time bands, it isn't a suprise as it would become financially unviable for them to offer it longer and i'm just greatful of free access at all after being treated so badly by Liberty Surf.

I won't tell any lies about connections and connections speeds however. Yes you have to wait a long time to connect because of engaged tones and basically the service being very busy. Also when you get on the connection speeds are normally very poor and not very quick at all and there is also a rate of "dead connections". Having said this though you don't worry about connection speeds too much when your ont paying for your call or any subscription charges. Also there is a 1 hour disconnection when you have to reconnect.

Overall this is a service that people who don't need the internet much can use and only want an hour or so use a night because it is possible to connect easily around 11pm weekdays and get an hour online. For heavier uses and those without the patience I suggest you look elsewhere.

Summary: