BT scraps BTclick internet service

BT is terminating its BTclick.com local call rate internet service, forcing customers to sign up with another BT tariff by the middle of next month.

The BTclick service, which charges customers at a local rate for all internet calls, will come to an end on 17 October with users encouraged to move to BTinternet.

From 17 October, BTclick customers will be automatically redirected to BTinternet, which offers cheaper call rates. However, customers will have to go through the process of re-registering for the BTinternet service and will need to install new dialler software before the cut-off date. BT said it is ending the service to ensure that "all customers get the best value for money".

"As BTinternet is offering a cheaper internet call rate than the local call rate you are currently paying with BTclick, you have nothing to lose by registering for the pay-as-you-go option while you decide what other internet service you want," BT said in a notice on the BTclick site.

If users decide to register with BTinternet, they will have three options including pay-as-you-go, whereby users only pay for calls made to the internet at a rate of 1p per minute weekday evenings and weekends, and 2p per minute during daytime. The other two options require a monthly subscription charge.

The BTclick dial-up access number will be removed from service at the start of next year. If users do not register for the BTinternet service by 17 October they will be redirected to BTinternet.

BT said it has signed up 500,000 customers to BTinternet, which is double its customer base since it relaunched in February. BTclick has about 440,000 registered users.