Breathe promises fresh unmetered package

Internet service provider Breathe today unveiled a penny-per-minute internet access service but has promised it will launch a new unmetered package in the new year.

Breathe, which will offer 24x7 internet access for a penny per minute plus a one-off set-up fee of £20, said it plans to introduce a new unmetered package in the first quarter of 2001.

The ISP launched an unmetered package in March for a one-off charge of £50, but restricted sign-up to 50,000 users. Spurred on by Oftel's announcement yesterday, that BT must provide other operators with a flat-rate internet access product from next year, Breathe said it has reinforced plans to offer a new unmetered offering to its customers.

"We are definitely planning to introduce a new unmetered package next year," said Sean Gardner, Breathe's chief operating officer.

"We have been planning this for several months but it is very much dependent on the availability of Friaco [BT's wholesale tariff for offering rivals unmetered access over its lines]. Oftel's announcement is a very positive move and will reinforce our ability to offer a sustainable unmetered package."

Users for Breathe's penny-per-minute service, which will not have a restricted sign-up, will need a BT phone line and a credit or debit card. However, users will be billed by Breathe, and will be able to view and manage their account online.

According to Gardner, customers will see a number of different tariffs for accessing the internet and not all users will be interested in having unmetered access.

"We have a number of customers who don't use the internet that frequently and the penny-per-minute tariff will be another option available for them," he said.

Meanwhile, Breathe has said it is also considering repeating the free unmetered Wap calls service for its mobile subscribers once the offer closes at the end of this month. The ISP offers 24x7 freephone Wap access to Orange and One 2 One users. The other UK operators charge for 0800 calls.

"The offer has been going really well and has seen our subscriber base increase fourfold," said Gardner. "We would consider repeating the offer again and hope to extend the offer to customers of all network operators."