Ryan V Posted December 14, 2003 Share Posted December 14, 2003 AOL offers discount ISP peek Last modified: December 12, 2003, 10:58 AM PST By Jim Hu Staff Writer, CNET News.com America Online has launched a preview version of its upcoming Netscape discount Internet service, revealing a slimmed-down, no-frills service aimed at people who just want access. The Netscape Internet service will be available on a trial basis for $1 a month until March 2004, and then the price will change to an established rate of $9.95 a month. AOL in October detailed plans for a discount Internet service provider to test the consumer appetite for service that costs considerably less than its flagship product, which costs $23.90. The move highlights AOL's attempt to hold on to the many subscribers who are defecting from its service to speedier broadband providers and discount ISPs. AOL has lost hundreds of thousands of U.S. subscribers during the past few quarters and is expected to continue losing more, as households keep upgrading to broadband. In response, the company has tried to sell a version of its proprietary service for broadband users. This "bring your own access" product offers all the bells and whistles of AOL--but without the Internet access--for $14.95 a month. AOL hopes that the product will be appealing enough for broadband users to pay the additional subscription fee for more content and multimedia perks. The launch of the new Netscape service is AOL's attempt to woo bargain hunters. Companies such as United Online's NetZero and Juno Online have seen success in attracting discount ISP users. This is not the first time AOL has launched a discount ISP. AOL currently has a plan through its CompuServe subsidiary that costs $9.95 for 20 hours a month, and its partnership with Wal-Mart Stores offers dial-up Internet access for $9.94 a month. In addition, AOL has quietly begun offering a stripped-down version of CompuServe for $9.95 a month with a no-term limit to customers trying to defect. AOL could eventually swap out that CompuServe offering for the Netscape-branded service, according to a source close to the company. As expected, Netscape doesn't come with AOL's splashy graphics or its emphasis on multimedia content. Nor does it have AOL's popular instant-messaging software. Source: http://news.com.com/2100-1032_3-5121465.html?tag=nefd_top Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bangbang023 Veteran Posted December 14, 2003 Veteran Share Posted December 14, 2003 This is great for the people who just want to use email and do light browsing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NeoMayhem Posted December 14, 2003 Share Posted December 14, 2003 You must be on crack to pay $14 a month to use AOL with your existing internet connection.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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