NTL Launches Free Internet Service Ahead Of Schedule

NTL has today launched its free internet service, to be shortly followed by TV-based internet access. The PC version of ntlworld, offering internet calls, ISP subscription and call connection for free, has launched today ahead of its scheduled date of 17 April, when the TV-internet service will go live.

The group announced its intention to enter the battle to provide cheap net access last month after a wave of companies unveiled cheap packages (see NTL Returns Fire As Internet Access War Heats Up). NTL said today that the move is designed to open up internet access to households which couldn’t previously afford it, by removing the price barriers of charges and PC equipment purchase.

In the provision of free internet access, the company joins companies such as Alta Vista in a competitive market, while both Sky Digital (see Open Launches £20 Million Marketing Campaign) and ONDigital (see ONdigital Announces TV Internet Plans) have made recent moves into TV-internet.

Customers of ntlworld will get 5 email addresses, 10Mb of web space and access to news groups, a directory of over a million links and seven dedicated NTL channels. It is available as part of the company’s TV/telephony packages, which have a starting cost of £9.25 per month. The service will not be restricted to NTL-cabled areas as access will be available via NTL or BT phone lines; customers in these areas will also need a £10 telephone adaptor, and will be required to spend at least £10 a month on non-net calls. TV-internet access will require a small set-top box, rented for £10 per month, which plugs into the TV and phone socket.

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