Web firms demand opening up of AOL instant messaging

Internet services companies iCast and Tribal Voice have asked the US Federal Communication Commission to force AOL to open up its Instant Messaging (IM) service for competition as a condition of its merger with Time Warner.

AOL's IM allows users to communicate in real-time online - the service is only available to registered members of AOL and locks out users of competing services.

In a joint statement, iCast and Tribal Voice argue that as AOL controls more than 90 per cent of the instant messaging market, it is vital that competition is opened up before the company finalises its merger with Time Warner. The statement claimed the new company will hold a monopoly in the IM market.

Daniel Bieler, Internet analyst at Nomura International, backed the complaint. "Market dominance can continue to be problem if the competition is not opened up for everyone. It is important for all ISPs or portals to have a truly interoperable platform," he said.

Bieler said that one company controlling exclusive customer ownership does not fit with the philosophy of the Internet as a global village with no boundaries.

"The AOL customer base is very different to that of other ISPs'. As a dedicated member of AOL, a user will be part of the AOL community and unlikely to seek other alternative messaging services," he said.

iCast is an Internet content and services company, while Tribal Voice provides its own version of instant messaging software.

In statement, a spokeswoman for AOL rejected the claims and said the company is willing to extend the benefits of IM to other service providers.