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GreatXscape caps off-peak free Net access

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GreatXscape subscribers are up in arms following the ISP's decision to cap the number of toll-free hours its users are allowed each month. Angry Net users claim GreatXscape has welched on its original agreement that gave them unlimited toll-free access to the Net during off-peak hours. As of 9 December, this will be capped to just 20 hours a month -- less than an hour a day. Those that overrun their allotted time will be charged for the excess. In a letter sent to subscribers GreatXscape's operations manager, Adrian Hughes, said: "In order for us to keep up with the demands from new customers whilst still ensuring that we can continue to provide the high levels of availability and access times to our existing customers, we are having to cap our offer to 20 hours of off-peak free calls per month. "Those users who spend more than 20 hours a month will be charged for the service at local call rates," he said. A number of GreatXscape users have already registered their dissatisfaction with capping and have promised to cancel their contracts with Telnet, the telco that provides the service. "I am total disgusted by this," one user told The Register today. "Like many of Telnet's customers I feel that I was falsely informed of the services their provide. "I have cancelled my service contract with Telnet this morning and am advising friends to do the same." Steve Stylianou, GreatXscape's financial director apologised to his customers but said the decision was made to help "grow the business in a controlled manner". He said he refund to anyone who wanted to transfer back to BT. A spokesman for Screaming.net -- which offers uncapped toll-free off-peak access to the Net -- said the ISP had no intention of imposing any time limits or additional costs onto its users. ® Related stories: Toll-free ISP in orbit around Planet Screaming.net takes legal cudgels against 'copycat' ISP Northern ISP to charge service abusers

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