Freeserve
Britain's biggest internet service provider (ISP) was launched on in September 1998 by Dixons, the electronic retailer, as the UK's first major free internet service. There are no registration or set-up fees and no monthly subscription charges. But you have to pay the local phone rate, which can add up. Freeserve has 1.6m users.
BT
Britain's dominant telecommunications giant offers free internet access weekends and weekday evenings, for £9.99 per month. It is committed to launching unmetered access but is still negotiating terms with Oftel, the telecommunications watchdog, and other ISPs. BT has come under government pressure to lower the cost of its internet call charges.
AltaVista
This California company began life as search engine, helping users to find sites and information on the net. It was sold last year by Compaq, the computer manufacturer to CMGI, an investment group. It has galvanised the internet market in the UK with a plan to scrap phone charges for customers using its internet services. But they would have to pay an upfront fee of up to $50, and a renewal fee every year.
America Online UK
The British offshoot of America Online, the world's biggest ISP, has 1.2m subscribers, making it the second biggest internet player in Britain behind Freeserve. It is said to be working with Freeserve on plans to match AltaVista's scheme to scrap phone charges for internet access.
Telewest
Telewest Communications is a leading provider of cable television and residential and business cable telephony services in the UK.
As of December 31, 1998, TeleWest and its franchises provide cable services to approximately 33% of the homes in Britain for which cable franchises have been awarded. Telewest last week suspended registrations for its £10-a-month 'SurfUnlimited' tariff - which offered free unmetered calls - after access problems led industry publications to damn it as 'SurfVeryLimited'.
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