News International Expected To Launch Free ISP Services
News International (NI) is understood to be planning the launch of free internet services which will be branded through its Times and Sun newspapers. NI is currently a joint partner with BT in the LineOne internet service provider (ISP), but reports this week claim the company is about to pull out of the venture in favour of launching its own services.
It has been expected for some time that NI, the Mirror Group and WHSmith were all planning the launch of free Net services (see OFTEL Consultations To Examine ISP Phone Pricing); WHSmith unveiled its plans to join the internet bandwagon yesterday, backed by partners BT and Microsoft.
News International will not comment on either its plans for a free ISP or its reported departure from LineOne. It is expected that NI will first launch the Sun-branded site in order to capitalise on the paper’s 3.6 million circulation, followed by a Times-led service. The Mirror Group has so far released no details of its internet plans.
LineOne recently halved its workforce and removed the subscription charge from its service in order to be more competitive in what is now a fast-growing market: Yesterday both Waterstone’s bookstore and music retailer HMV joined forces with global internet company Yahoo to become a free ISP service. Computer and video games retailer, Electronics Boutique also announced plans to launch a free service in partnership with Scottish Telecom, owners of Demon Internet.
News International: 0171 782 6000