History

In September 2000 AOL UK launched AOL UK Flat Rate, a 24/7 unmetered Net access product for Net users in the UK. The service costs £14.99 a month and includes all subscription and Net access costs.

The Techie Bit

The service is based on Flat Rate Internet Access Call Origination (FRIACO) - a wholesale flat-rate pricing system that caps the cost of telecom access costs for ISPs. This is important, because if an ISP's costs are capped then consumer costs can also be capped. The alternative is that users pay more (for their phone bill) the longer they are online.

Review Of AOL Flat Rate

I've been using it for two months and it works. A few problems here and there but nothing worth getting upset about. Sorry I can't be more scathing than..."So far, so good."

What Next

Le Freeswerve today said its FRIACO-based (see above, this is important) unmetered Net access product is now available for consumers. BTInternet is expected to follow with its launch on Friday. Other ISPs are expected to follow suit within the next couple of months. That means competition - and competition is good. ®

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