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To: Joe E. who wrote (5176)	2/17/1999 4:03:00 PM
From: RTev	Respond to of 41369

Here's info about a deal AT&T has struck with a couple of the local governments that were threatening to block the transfer of the TCI cable franchise unless they opened cable modem access to competition: seattletimes.com Here's the part of the deal that affects AOL, should they decide to offer service: "The deal will allow companies such as America Online and Mind Spring to offer service as fast and glitch-free as AT&T's own product, @Home. "But AT&T retains a significant price advantage, as it will still cost much less to buy TCI's @Home than any of the competitors. Customers will be able to get Internet access from @Home for $39.95 a month. But to get another service, they will have to pay the $39.95 monthly charge, plus the cost of the other service. " So what do you think? Will AOL still be able to get customers when it's an add-on fee to the high-speed internet access?

To: Joe E. who wrote (5176)	2/17/1999 4:09:00 PM
From: Tumbleweed	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 41369

The BT decision to offer free net access is new.... ..but is only responding to the inevitable, and doesnt alter the arguments. (why would anyone use their service which was an extra 1.5c/minute for less capabilities than the other 'free' services. ) They are just one more free service, nothing new. BTW, in case people think they really are free (I use Freeserve, which was the first major free UK ISP), you should see my phone bill!! Brings a new meaning to the word 'free'. Aprox $150 for the last 3 months of 'free' access. (local calls at about 1.3c/min) I have seen AOL adverts on TV here in the UK which I view as a response to these free services. Majors on controlling net access for children, how easy it is, how technical assistance is free, they are aimed at newbies, but that is of course the biggest market. Joe

To: Joe E. who wrote (5176)	2/17/1999 4:18:00 PM
From: Vendit™	Respond to of 41369

Joe, I think the British Telecom decision to offer "free" internet service is new since the discussion on this thread. I honestly can't remember the name of the company that was discussed but if you say it, I believe it. I do know for a fact it was a company in the UK so that must be the Internet wave of the future for the Brit's. Seems I remember someone from the UK posting this thread on the subject and he had some very negative things to say about the (free) company's service. Slow and hard to get a connection and so forth. There are currently free Internet services in the US but you don't hear much about them and they have been around for several years. Mary Pugh was in on the discussion and perhaps she can bring this all back into prospective for us. Vendit