AOL France calls for LE FRIACO

Has one million punters don't you know

By Tim Richardson • Get more from this author

Posted in Music and Media, 7th June 2001 11:07 GMT

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AOL France has called on incumbent telco, France Telecom, to introduce wholesale flat rate charges for Net access.

Announcing today that AOL France now has more than one million users MD, Stephane Treppoz, urged France Telecom to look to the success of the UK as a model for change.

AOL UK was a leading force in the introduction of the flat-rate wholesale unmetered Net access product, FRIACO, which caps the cost of Net access for users - a benefit which can then be passed on to users.

Said Treppoz: "We once again encourage France Telecom to adjust its initial proposal to match the cost-oriented, capacity-based rates offered under FRIACO in the UK to ensure that all French consumers enjoy affordable flat rates for Internet access."

Last year AOL France introduced a flat-rate service that it claims has increased its share of the French Internet market.

Over the last year, the average time spent online per member has increased to more than 60 minutes per day - a threefold increase since AOL France's launched its flat-rate promotional pricing plan.

AOL France also claims usage levels are on a par with activities in the US and the UK, where AOL services are available on flat rate plans.

According to April figures from Jupiter MMXI, 20 per cent of all time spent on the Net in France was spent on AOL France proprietary services and content.

However, the popularity of AOL France's flat rate product was also its undoing. In February, AOL France was found guilty of publishing misleading advertising concerning the service. ®

AOL France fined for misleading advertising

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