Leader: Free as in broadband

You'd think the IT industry had some strange definitions of the word 'free'.

First there's the whole 'free' issue in open source - where we had to get used to the idea that, just this once, it didn't mean we wouldn't pay for our software, just that we'd be 'free' to share it with others.

And now, in a different way, there could be some misunderstanding as to what is meant by 'free broadband'.

Today we hear there's some major cost-cutting on tap, and that three major providers - Carphone Warehouse, Sky and Virgin - could be on the verge of launching free or ultra-low-price broadband internet service.

But what exactly do they mean? Of course, it goes without saying you won't get something for nothing.

It's about getting free or cheap broadband, but only when you pay for connectivity bundled with mobile or fixed-line phone service from the same company, for example.

It's sort of like those age-old retail offers - buy three and get the fourth one free.

Still, broadband prices are falling - and there are some great deals to be had even if they aren't quite as good as they might sound at first.

Looking to the bigger picture, the cost-cutting is just one more upshot of the rampant consolidation in telecoms services - where once you had three or four specialty providers now you have one who does it all.

This should be good news for users in terms of pricing but perhaps less so in terms of choice of provider. At the very least, there soon will be very few companies selling just broadband, so you might as well get used to your new 'freedom'.