OzEmail removes upfront broadband fees

The move by the Internet service provider, said to give customers up-front savings of AU$198, comes as the broadband price war intensifies in the leadup to Christmas.

Earlier this year, OzEmail introduced "flat rate plans with no excesses" and started its mobile broadband adoption with wireless Internet service, Metrowide Wireless.

OzEmail also announced that customers who already have a broadband modem can sign a six-month contract and be eligible for free line activation. Customers are also given a choice to pay for their modem and line activation and not be tied to any contract.

The AU$99 line activation fee for customers who want to join OzEmail's wireless service is also being waived, with assurance that "there is no lengthy fixed-term contracts to sign".

Duff is confident that the new offer will attract a lot of attention.

"The combination of no upfront cost and a AU$29.95 per month offering is a compelling reason for people to take the dive into OzEmail broadband. Based on our experiences with a trial promotion earlier this year we're confident this offering will attract a lot of attention," Duff said.

The OzEmail entry-level access plan offers 300MB of download per month, after which access is slowed to dial-up speed.

"This stands in stark contrast to other providers' sub-AU$30 plans, some of which only offer a 200MB allowance for both download and upload and then charge up to 15 cents per MB for excess usage."

Duff said the offer is not limited to the AU$29.95 plan and is also expected to generate significant interest in OzEmail's other plans.

The offers end December 31, 2004.