Callnet0800 reopens its doors

Callnet reopened registration to its freephone Internet service this week, two months after overwhelming demand forced it to close applications.

More than 100,000 customers signed up for the Callnet0800 service during its first week in November. In return for 0800 Internet access, customers were required to sign up for Callnet's telecom service.

But the surge of applications resulted in long delays for customers. Callnet had hoped to sign up 200,000 customers by Christmas, but closed applications at the end of November.

Callnet has redesigned its registration service, giving priority clearance to customers who register for the service online. Customers can also contact an automated registration phone line which handles up to 15,000 calls per minute.

A spokesman for Callnet said: "A big call centre handled registration before, but live operators just couldn't cope with the volume. The process has been streamlined and to date the system has been totally robust and we have had no problems reported."

The spokesman said the company had received thousands of registrations since it had reopened, and that the numbers were on track to top the figures attracted in November.

Callnet0800, a venture between Internet service provider Callnet, mobile phone retailer Phones4u and Haymarket Publications, offers free Internet access without setup or subscription charges.