Free Internet access may not be as "free" as consumers think according to a recent survey by Consumer Choice, magazine of the Consumers' Association of Ireland (CAI). Five "free Internet access" providers were examined for their costs and services: Buy & Sell, Eircom Net, Esat Clear, Indigo and Ocean.
"Technically there is no such thing as free Internet access as you must pay for the price of the phone call," says the magazine. Phone costs may be higher when using one of the free packages. Paying Internet service provider (ISP) subscribers are charged 1.6p per minute weekdays and 0.8p per minute evenings and weekends if using Eircom's 1891 number.
Free service users pay the price of a local phone call and this cost varies depending on the telephone provider being used. For example, Eircom charges 3.8p per minute from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 0.8p per minute at all other times says Consumer Choice. "Therefore, you do not benefit from paying a subscription to an ISP if you only use the service off-peak. However, if you use the Internet and e-mail a lot during peak times you may be better off paying a yearly subscription," the magazine concludes.
