Just eight days after announcing price reductions in its own BTinternet package for customers, BT has been prompted to take another huge step towards unmetered calltime for the Internet.
Earlier this week, AltaVista announced an unlimited use package of around £20 per month (with an annual fee of around £20) to include all call charges. A day later, NTL announced free call charges for its cable members using the Internet.
Today BT appears to have announced a scheme whereby all Internet users will be able to obtain unmetered, free-call access in the UK for a flat fee of under £30 per month, provided their ISP signs up for the deal. A cheaper monthly option will be available for unlimited evening and weekend access only.
This scheme differs from the earlier ones in that it is not dependent on the user being a customer of BTinternet - although you will need to be a BT telephone customer to benefit. It will be up to each of the ISPs to join the BT scheme and offer their customers the benefit. This means that users will be able to retain flat rate access even when they switch ISPs.
The scheme is due to commence on 1 June 2000.
We've tried finding the details on the various BT websites, but without success to date.
