The inevitable has finally happened.
BT has buckled under the strain of public opinion and announced it
is to "to reduce dramatically the cost of dial-up calls to the Internet".
Although the exact details of the arrangement are still uncertain, the
deal could mean that ISPs would be able to offer unmetered access to the
Net for as little as £10 a month. The new service provider
tariff will be available from mid-December once the monster telco has received
the go-ahead from the watchdog, Oftel. A statement issued today reads:
"This will make it possible for ISPs to launch radically new subscription
tariffs which might include unlimited dial-up calls to the Internet for
a single monthly fee."
Bill Cockburn, group managing director of BT UK, said: "BT is continuing to develop a range of Internet access options which cater effectively for both heavy and infrequent users, ranging from individuals at home to major corporations."
The company said it would invest more than £100 million over the
next two financial years on technology which will optimise the network
for Internet use.
No one from BT was available to discuss the announcement further. ®