In response to stiff competition in the internet service provider market, BTinternet has announced a reduction in its charges to users with immediate effect from 1 March.

The monthly subscription is reduced by 15% from £11.75 to £9.99 per month, inclusive of VAT.

The existing freephone number for access throughout the weekend is extended to include free dial-up access every weekday evening from 6:00 to midnight.

A new speeech facility enables users to phone in from anywhere in the UK to hear their emails.

But the downside is that the techical support service is raising its access charges from the present 0345 lo-call rate to a penalising premium rate of 50p/minute - a change which is likely to be severely criticised by BTinternet members.

There's still no sign of the BT SurfTime service intended to give unlimited internet access for a fixed monthly fee. Originally scheduled for launch "in the spring" no release date has yet been announced.