NTL Returns Fire As Internet Access War Heats Up

Cable company NTL has this morning joined the fast-developing battle to provide UK internet users with cheaper access. Following the announcement by Net search engine company AltaVista yesterday that it is to offer UK customers unmetered access for a one-off fee and small annual subscription (see AltaVista To Offer Unmetered Net Access), NTL this morning unveiled a free service of its own.

The ntlworld package is to give users access to the internet with no subscription charge, no call connection fee and no telephone call charges. However, there is still a cost to gain access to ntlworld, which differs depending on the users area.

In NTL-cabled regions, ntlworld will be available as part of the company’s TV/telephony packages which having a starting cost of £9.25 per month. In non-NTL areas, users can buy a £10 telephone adapter to convert their BT line into a NTL line to connect to the service, but they must then spend at least £10 per month on non-internet voice calls.

AltaVista has yet to confirm the pricing structure of its service, although it is expected to involve a one-off registration fee of between £30 and £50 along with an subscription fee thought to be set at just £10.

It is likely that AltaVista’s and NTL’s moves will precipitate a flurry of changes to the current internet access pricing systems and may lead BT lower its telephone costs and develop its high-speed ADSL access system more quickly. BT has been repeatedly criticised by the telecommunications watchdog, Oftel, for failing to act quickly enough in this respect.

NTL: 01252 402 000