Ref: 20/00
Date: 30 March 2000

Oftel today published its statement on BT's proposals for a special Internet Access service for public institutions.

The new service will give public libraries, further education colleges and Citizens' Advice Bureaux, access to the Internet for ten hours every weekday between 8am to 6pm. These institutions will also be able to purchase an evening and weekend service for an additional small amount.

Today's statement marks the latest phase of Oftel's initiative to get Britain connected to the Internet by encouraging telecoms operators to provide schools and public institutions with special tariffs for Internet access.

Last November, leading telecoms operators backed Oftel's call for special tariffs to be extended to a wider range of public institutions. BT agreed to extend special tariffs to public libraries, Further Education Colleges and Citizens' Advice Bureaux.

Oftel published a consultation document on BT's price proposals for its service last year. BT's scheme - Public Internet Caller Service - will be launched in April 2000.

BT's service will help public institutions make significant savings on the price of standard metered charges on both the fixed telephone network and on ISDN services .

Commenting on the statement, David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said:

"There is real momentum within the industry to get Britain on-line. Low rate Internet access for schools has been a reality for more than a year. Any tariff that helps libraries connect to the Internet is to be welcomed. Access to the Information Society will soon be a short walk away for everyone.

"BT's new service will add to the increasingly wide range of cheap Internet access packages coming onto this highly competitive market. Public libraries, Further Education Colleges and Citizens Advice Bureaux will be able to use their consumer power to shop around for the deal that best suits their needs."

Notes for Editors

1. The Oftel statement: Connecting Public Institutions - BT's Public Institutions Internet Caller Service is available on Oftel's website at www.oftel.gov.uk. Printed copies are available to the media from Oftel's Press Office on 0171-634 8991) and to the public from Oftel's Research and Intelligence Unit (tel: 0171-634 8761).

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