German Web surfers go on strike

German Web surfers are set to boycott the Internet for 24 hours on 1 November to protest against the high tariffs charged by Deutsche Telekom.

It has been reported that the man behind the Internet strike, Thomas von Treichel, is hoping it will assist in reducing the cost of Web access whilst using the telco's T-Online Internet service.

The move comes after the Congress of the Deputies in Spain agreed to make the government establish a flat tariff for Internet use, following pressure from user groups.

Robin Duke-Woolley, senior analyst at Schema, said: "Users are taking action." Describing the move as "significant," he explained that "everything will depend on the growth of the Internet in Germany, of which this holds the key to how much is charged for access".

When asked whether or not other parts of Europe could face something similar, Duke-Woolley said: "It may possibly spread to southern Europe - Italy and France - but with rates in the UK already pretty low it would be unlikely to spread here."

He added: "The government will not want to be seen as giving in to pressure groups," and suggested that "special rates or discounts schemes should be introduced for Web access only".

With a strike Web site up and running - which has had over 30,000 users in the first week - T-online is estimated to face losing over $6m.