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UK MSN drops Subscription Charges

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the changing-the-rules dept.

geoff lane writes "Recently in the UK there has been a very strong move towards "free" ISPs. By doing deals with the telecom companies which split the call charge income between the telecom and ISP companies the ISPs can drop subscription charges. I've heard it reported that as few as 10,000 signed up users can move a small "free" ISP into a trading profit." I guess I'm not surprised. Telcos are big, how long can it be before they swallow the ISPs anyway? And how long before it here..."

1 of 83 comments (clear)

  1. Free ISPs, no thanks by Boncey · · Score: 4

    The problem I have with 'Free ISPs' is that they discourage telecom operators from allowing free calls (the real issue).
    As the call charges are exactly the thing that is funding the ISP side of the business there is plenty of interest (for the telecom operators) in maintaining the status quo.

    I'm sure the majority of European Internet users would prefer to pay £10-£20 a month to an ISP and get free calls, rather than pay nothing to an ISP and pay for per minute access to a telecom operator.

    See Campaign for Unmetered Telecommunications for more info.