No BT Net call pricing U-turn next week

The Register apologises for being the bearer of bad news… but BT is not about to cut charges for Net access next Monday. Despite reports to contrary, the monster telco has denied it is about to undertake a "dramatic U-turn" in pricing policy. Sorry. A spokeswoman at BT dismissed a story that appeared yesterday on ZDNet UK that said the telco was set to offer "cheaper data calls" as being simply untrue. "We are aware of the interest in this subject, and are in active talks with the regulator, industry and government about what might happen," she said. "We have not told anyone that BT is to make any cuts to its charges on Monday," she continued. Her views were echoed by a rather bemused spokesman at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Someone there supposedly told ZDNet UK that BT was set to make an announcement next week. "We would never presume to speak on behalf of BT," he said. The news that BT has not cracked under pressure from industry groups and campaigners will, no doubt, come as a bitter disappointment to those who may have already put the bubbly on ice to celebrate Monday's groundbreaking news. But it's far better to face up the disappointment now, rather than to come down to earth on Monday with a painful, arse-thumping, face-losing jolt. ® See also: Cheaper BT net access story looks like a dud