5 years ago... BBC catches heat for launching free ISP

06/07/1999: The BBC decides to launch a free ISP - but UK online publishers complain the organisation is abusing its advantage as a subsidised organisation to make it big on the web and push all other ISPs out of the market.

The British Internet Publishers Alliance (Bipa), whose members include the online divisions of ITN, News International and the Telegraph, submit a report with these accusations to a UK government panel charged with examining the BBC's funding position.

06/07/2004: The BBC, of course, did not end up dominating the free ISP market and running all competitors in this space into the ground.

In fact it has announced it is contracting its online media properties, including closing down five websites: Fantasy Football, the central What's On events listings, the Surfing portal, the Games portal and Pure Soap.

The closures are part of an internal review of its websites to make sure they are of high value to the public and stick to its aims of informing, entertaining and educating readers.

The review process is still underway and may result in more site shutdowns, according to BBC director of new media Ashley Highfield.

Despite the closures, BBC said no jobs will be lost as staff will be moved to other parts of the organisation.