BT has launched its first ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line) service for UK businesses under the BTopenworld brand, which includes pay-as-you-go access to Microsoft Office applications.

BTopenworld, BT's broadband ISP division, said the service will provide always-on high-speed access through regular phone lines at speeds of between 512Kbps and 2Mbps. Previously businesses required leased lines or ISDN to get similar connection speeds.

The service, priced at £99.99 a month with a £260 installation fee, enables internet access for up to four PCs, connected via ethernet cabling. Customers can add other PCs via a Lan connection at no extra cost. A Macintosh version of the product is available.

Subscribers get 10 email addresses, and access to news and information from a range of content providers. They can also access Application Station, a service that provides pay-as-you-go access to software including Microsoft Office for between £4 and £25 a month (see details below).

BTopenworld had planned to launch a consumer package this month, priced at £39.99 a month, but confirmed earlier reports on vnunet.com that the service would be delayed until at least the end of August. BT's wholesale division has delayed consumer service rollout while it conducts intensive testing.

A BTopenworld spokesman said: "BTopenworld like other ISPs is at BT's mercy while we wait for the approval to launch the consumer service. It will probably not be available until the end of August as wholesale BT is testing the system."

BTopenworld said it has received more than 100,000 pre-orders for its ADSL services, but would not divide this figure into business and consumer customers. Its services are restricted by geography - BT claims its ADSL network currently covers around 500 exchanges, catering for about 35 per cent of the UK population.

The Application Station packages are:

Bronze: offers access to one Microsoft Office title, two Microsoft Office Training titles, an electronic library and financial information. It is priced at an introductory rate of £4 a month (normally £6 a month) with a 30-day free trial.

Silver: offers the same as Bronze but with two Microsoft Office titles, four Microsoft Office Training titles and a stock market email report for an introductory rate of £12 a month (normally £18 a month) with a 30-day free trial.

Gold: offers the same but with four Microsoft Office titles, 10 Microsoft Office Training titles, translation services and a dictionary for an introductory rate of £25 a month (normally £38 a month) with a 30-day free trial.

See also:

BT to launch web portal for all devices

BT has announced plans to launch a web portal this year that will for the first time be accessible to mobile phones, PCs, personal digital assistants and TV.  16 Oct 2000

BT eyes SMEs for faster ADSL

BTopenworld has unveiled two broadband ADSL offerings aimed specifically at smaller businesses.  10 Oct 2000

Broadband costs set to rocket

The auction for 28Ghz Broadband Fixed Wireless Access licences will start on 5 September, amid fears that ballooning bids will push the price of the service sky-high and discourage take-up.  30 Aug 2000

UK consumers won't pay high ADSL costs

Consumers in the UK say they are unwilling to pay the high cost of high-speed internet access services, research from industry regulator Oftel has found.  07 Aug 2000

BT steps up ASP plans

BT is to target its application service provider platform at Microsoft solution providers who want to offer their applications on a rental basis.  26 Jul 2000

BT's ADSL still months away, despite hype

BTopenworld launched its ADSL internet service for small and medium-sized business customers today, but users could be waiting months before they can actually use it.  26 Jul 2000

ISDN versus ADSL - the consumer choice

With the introduction of ADSL into the UK just around the corner, home workers need to weigh up the technology's benefits compared with ISDN when making their choice of which high-speed network access service to opt for.  07 Jul 2000

BT says ADSL works despite delays

BT claims administration issues rather than technical problems have delayed the rollout of its high-speed ADSL service to consumers.  04 Jul 2000

BT cuts ISDN charges ahead of ADSL

BT has slashed the price of its ISDNconnect service, which gives customers a constant data connection for low volume transmissions.  29 Jun 2000

BT delays ADSL after inadequate testing

BT wants more time to test its high speed internet services, a move that will delay the launch of these services by providers including Freeserve and BT Openworld.  26 Jun 2000

Thus launches ADSL service

Thus has launched its commercial ADSL service promising internet users a fast and permanent internet connection, although some users may find it a slower service than others.  20 Jun 2000

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