Re: UKNM: Free ISPs Vs. Paying ISPs (Don't Mention Dixons)

[Nigell Boulton]

Perhaps the 0800 dialup numbers are not such a bad idea.


I think BT should offer free local calls for everyone, but maybe have a

small charge for data calls, like 10p per call


-----Original Message-----

From: Sajid Mohammed <

g23rocketmail [dot] com

>

To:

uk-netmarketingchinwag [dot] com

 <

uk-netmarketingchinwag [dot] com

>

Date: 06 October 1998 14:25

Subject: UKNM: Free ISPs Vs. Paying ISPs (Don't Mention Dixons)



>Hello,

>

>The fortunes of the ISP industry have changed rapidly over the last

>couple of weeks, with the launch of FreeServe &

>BTClickPlusWe'veBeenHammeredByOftelAndDixons. Soon, we will see the

>launch of C&W's own free (?) service as well - I'm sure others are

>looking at this market also.

>

>Especially as apparently a whopping 66% of domestic PC users aren't on

>the Net - is this really true? Also, it appears ON Digital (the mooks)

>are not going be offering web access via their box - they won't be

>offering access to Sky Digital's EPG either, but that's another

>story...I think it's a bad move on ON Digital not to support the Web,

>which is established and has an audience. Something you can't really

>say about Digital TV yet.

>

>Which means that there's going to be an almighty feeding frenzy like

>the early days of ISPs - remember how EasyNet aquired loads of small

>ISPs that had gone bust or weren't doing too well? I can see that

>history will repeat itself, first as tragedy, then as farce.

>

>Obviously, the paid-for ISPs have to move up the value chain. Already,

>they can legitimately say that by offering free unlimited tech support

>and not levying a surcharge on the cost of your call to the POP that

>they have a higher-value proposition. Also, it's been rumoured for

>several days that Virgin.Net are planning to go 0800 on their dial-up

>access. Which to my eyes adds value to their proposition.

>

>But how else can ISPs outmanouver the free ISP mob? Providing portal

>content, e-commerce, Quake servers and streaming media etc. etc. is

>all very well and good. But where are paying ISPs wanting at the

>moment?

>Personally, I just want super-fast access. Any ISP that wanted to

>offer me a dirt-cheap ISDN or leased line would get my interest - but

>I can't see that happening anytime soon.


>

>It may even come to pass that most paying ISPs mutate/aggregate into

>business-to-business services organisations, offering large scale

>connectivity for companies tied into bespoke Intranet/Extranet

>solutions using Notes/Domino or whatever - leaving the free ISPs to

>the consumers.

>

>What services would people like to see the paid-for ISPs provide -

>which could differentiate them from the free ISPs?

>

>

>Sajid Mohammed

>

>

>http://www.youcanthelpbutgetthefeelingthattheresacertaincachetabouthavingau

rlafteryournameattheendofanemail.com/buticantgetoverlyexcitedabouttheprospec

t.html/

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