World Online dilutes unmetered service

World Online UK has capped the number of hours its punters can stay online as part of its inclusive unmetered package, effectively upping the price for Net access.

According to World Online, the "lack of sustainable wholesale unmetered Internet services for retail providers [is] the reason behind the changes."

So isn't it ironic, then, that the announcement came on the same day that AOL UK announced it had finally signed up to BT's wholesale unmetered package (FRIACO) and was set to offer 24/7 unmetered Net access for £14.99 a month?

The timing for whinging World Online couldn't have been worse since it makes World Online appear to be out of touch.

AOL UK offers all you can eat Net access for £14.99.

World Online offers a little over three hours a day (100 hours a month, thereafter it's metered) for the same price plus phone line rental of £9.26 a month.

Doesn't look so good, does it?

Earlier this month World Online UK CEO Simon Preston said he was "committed to unmetered Net access".

"We are not going to withdraw from the unmetered market," he told The Register. ®