BT hits back as another ISP dies an unmetered death

There are squash balls that go to the wall less frequently than UK ISPs...

BT has hit back at allegations from an independent ISP that it scotched plans to launch an unmetered internet service and has deliberately choked the life out of the small ISP market. ISP BigBlueSky had aimed to launch an internet service which would offer internet connection for life for a £25 one-off payment. Several other small ISPs made similar offerings, but none has been able to remain in business for long, and BigBlueSky gave up the ghost on 3 July. An angry press release on BigBlueSky's website says: "The launch of BBS had to be delayed because of delays with the infrastructure and delays on the part of BT in connecting the system." BigBlueSky claims that BT's software allowed multiple users to fraudulently log on using the same network and password, creating more traffic than its system could handle. The statement claims that BT does its "utmost to ensure the failure of an entrepreneurial system by squeezing out the smaller companies." BT has refuted the allegations. In a statement quoted on the Net4Nowt website, the company denied it had supplied any software to BigBlueSky. The statement read: "The WebPort product (which BigBlueSky is attempting to resell) is designed specifically for small ISPs, and we are offering these companies an extremely good deal to help them achieve success. "The charge that BT would squeeze out smaller companies is ridiculous and it is disappointing to see a director of any company make such unprofessional, unsubstantiated and serious accusations."