LineOne to follow BTInternet's lead

LineOne could the next major service provider to offer toll-free access to the Internet and follow in the footsteps of BTInternet. Following the revelation last week that BTInternet was to offer limited toll-free access, The Register was inundated with calls from readers saying that LineOne was also secretly operating toll-free lines on the Web. One reader said hundreds of people already knew about the numbers and were merrily sitting online for hours at a time without being charged a bean. The only catch was that they had to use a LineOne account to take advantage of free access. Apparently, the numbers were so obvious even a pensioner with minimal Net knowledge was wired up to one of the many 0800 numbers. "Put it this way, my grandfather is 78 and has only had a PC for three months, and he found out about this [0800 number] before I did," said one reader. Coincidentally, the head of LineOne was quoted as saying last week that UK Internet pricing is in for a "radical shake-up." "Many companies, including one very close to my heart, are seriously looking at the 0800 model," Ajay Chowdhury told UK newswires. Unfortunately, Chowdhury wasn't available for comment this morning to explain exactly what he meant. On their own, Chowdhury's comments can simply be dismissed as mere posturing by the online service provider. But viewed in tandem with the news that LineOne appears to be trialling 0800 numbers and the argument becomes compelling. Remember. You read it here first. Again. ®