AOL To Roll Out Unmetered Internet Access In The UK

AOL has announced plans to offer unmetered internet access in the UK. Guaranteeing the sustainability of the service after recent failures (see AltaVista MD Quits Over Free Internet Access Fiasco), the US-based group is offering its current members a flat-rate monthly fee of £14.99.

After research earlier this year showed the unmetered model to be unsustainable (see Research Claims Subscription-free Internet Is Unsustainable) it emerged that both NTL and AltaVista were struggling with the viability of their proposed services, and AltaVista eventually put its launch plans on hold (see AltaVista Blames BT For Stalling On Free Internet Service).

It blamed the failure of its service on BT, which was expected to bring introduce a flat-rate agreement for rival telephone companies by September. Delays in the introduction of FRIACO (Flat Rate Internet Access Call Origination) meant that unmetered services continued to pay per call, making them economically unviable.

AOL believes the roll-out of FRIACO will accelerate in the coming weeks and is confident its untariffed service will be a success. AOL UK managing director Karen Thomson, said: “We promised more than a year ago that we would fight to “Stop the Clock” of metered internet telephone costs charged by the minute. We are now delighted to give our members what they want – genuine and sustainable flat-rate internet access.”

AOL UK: 020 7348 8258