BT kicks off 60 more Anytime users, threatens others

BT Openworld has confirmed it has kicked another "50 or 60" off its Anytime dial-up Internet service. It has also sent warning emails to hundreds more customers threatening them with disconnection unless they abide by new terms & conditions that came into effect last week.

Those affected received an email saying: "We refer to our previous email regarding your BTopenworld Anytime account. [Presumably the email sent out in August to 400 users warning them of impending cut off]. As advised, under the terms and conditions of the BTopenworld Anytime service, customers are not permitted to leave their internet connection maintained whilst not using the service. It is with regret that we advise you that your account will be terminated with effect from 12th October 2001."

Customers are livid. While many think it extremely unfair if not illegal to change terms & conditions as and when the company feels like it, others are aggrieved that BT cuts them off so quickly and sends only an email as notice.

One reader wrote to BT: "If you really feel the need to terminate my account, I would suggest that you give me 90 days notice so that I can notify all of my contacts and move my Web page to a reliable provider." She continues: "Having supported BT Internet since its start I feel disgusted with this treatment. I feel even MORE disgusted by the fact that you suggest I move to ADSL (which I would LOVE) as it is more suited to my connection patterns - yet it is not available in my area, with NO indication of when it will be (if ever)."

Another told us BT said for a fee of £10 it would review his account - but with no promises. He also says he was never informed of any change in terms & conditions and reading them on The Register was the first he heard of it.

On top of this many customers have found their dial-up number has ceased to work, with no advance notice, and they have had to call up the BT calldesk to be given one that does. Official BT emails to customer complaints are still claiming "there are presently no reported faults with Anytime" - which is an interesting definition of "reported fault".

All of this has happened in the two days prior to tonight's Watchdog programme that will take BT Openwoe to task for the second week in a row over its service.

At the end of September, BT kicked off 200 users, claiming they were abusing its service. ®

Related Link

Watchdog's report on Anytime

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