C&WC gets head start in pay-as-you-surf race

Cable & Wireless Communications (C&WC) has stolen a march on BT in its effort to attract first-time Internet users.

The cable TV and telephony provider has launched Internet Light - a pay-as-you-surf service costing 45 pence per hour, with no monthly Internet service provider (ISP) fees, but a one-time £10 sign-up charge - at least a month before BT's corresponding offer goes live.

Kevin Gooding, C&WC head of product marketing, said: "We see ourselves with a family of Internet offerings, going beyond basic dial-up services. We will offer standard Net access through our ISP, or through Internet Light. Next year, we'll see further services with the introduction of digital TV."

However, Gooding said beating BT's Click! launch was not foremost in the company's mind. "Our service was in development before we'd even heard about BT Click!," he claimed.

And unlike BT's service, Internet Light has not faced an Oftel investigation.

A spokesman for the UK telecoms watchdog confirmed BT's service is still being looked at after protests by ISPs and the Internet Service Providers' Association (ISPA). They claim BT Click!, due to the telco's market position, could deter newcomers to the Net from using an ISP-based service, and eventually lead to some ISPs folding, with negative consequences for competition in the industry.

A BT spokesman accepted the C&WC service offers technical support where BT Click doesn't, but stated the BT service is still slated to go live in 4 to 5 weeks.

Highlighting C&WC's efforts to attract Net novices, Internet Light comes with a Plain English Campaign-approved CD ROM and Internet guide.