It seems like only last month that we suddenly found that, following
Freeserve's lead, many Internet service providers were waiving their
subscription charges. This still left users in Britain having to pay a charge,
albeit at local call rates, to the telephone service provider for every moment
on line. Pundits of e-commerce have been saying for some time that if only
Internet users in the UK could have free access like those in the USA, then
e-commerce would grow hugely. Now they can, but, as always, at a price, so
"free access" is still not quite free.
Recently an organisation called AltaVista, a 'search engine' [there is whole new language here] used to find internet sites, announced that it would provide freephone access for a yearly charge of £30. Luckily I resisted the temptation to sign up because other deals have appeared which may be even better.
Firstly NTL, a cable television and telephone company, announced that, from April 17th, it would offer completely free internet access at all times of every day or night to anyone signing up for its telephone service and making more than £10 of ordinary calls a month. Then LineOne entered the market with an offer of completely free internet access calls with users having to spend only £5 a month on ordinary phone calls with Quip.co.uk. Users have to fit a box, costing £20, between their computer and the BT socket on the wall. This service was expected to be up and running by the end of March, thus upstaging NTL.
It seems, however, that all have been upstaged by a little known phone network X-Stream, which, it says, has been providing its customers with free internet calls for over a year.
According to newspaper and radio reports, several other internet service providers are considering whether they can possibly stay out of this freephone business and still remain in business. Virgin has said that it is considering the matter. It is, perhaps, only a matter of time before BT gets in on the act, though in what form remains to be seen.
John Brown
According to The Times on June 6th, the National Rifle Association of
America, which champions the rights of citizens to bear arms, has let it be
known that it plans to open a chain of family restaurants, themed around
"recreational shooting". The Times obtained the, information from
Caterer and Hotelkeeper.
This seems a strange thing to do so soon after five staff at a Wendy 's restaurant were shot dead by a customer and in a country where lunatics go on shooting sprees in McDonalds. "We won't be selling any guns or live ammunition" said a spokesman from the NRA. As The Times points out, American customers can always bring their own.
Also in The Times was the announcement that NfCG Corporate Associate,
Whitbread, is to give up brewing in favour of hotel and leisure enterprises.
This surely is a sign of the times when many pubs find that there is as much
call for food as drink and more profit in the food.
Whitbread, in a management agreement with RoadChef, will take over thirteen or so RoadChef lodges and turn them into budget Travel Inn Hotels, thus adding about 1,000 beds to its already impressive stock.
With all this talk of piracy it is pertinent to talk of husbanding resources. Esther Rose who has been our most conscientious Honorary Treasurer for a number of years has decided it is time to stand down at the Annual General Meeting in September. We shall need a new guiding light.
The good news is that Esther is happy to stay on as Assistant Treasurer and
handle the day to day financial affairs. Whoever takes on the top job will,
therefore, have the perfect assistant already in place.
Managing the budgets for NfCG is not a particularly onerous task, but, because of its position on the national stage, is very interesting. The Treasurer is called upon, from time to time, to meet and negotiate with officials from the Department of Trade and Industry and, with the possibility of a merger with Consumer Congress, will have an important role there.
Naturally NfCG is looking for somebody with a clear understanding of financial matters and proven experience. All out of pocket expenses are paid by the Federation.
Will all those who are interested in managing the financial affairs of NfCG please contact Chairman Roy Bisson at chairman@ncf.info.The annual accounts are published in the Annual Report.
The material contained in Consumer News may only be reproduced by federated groups unless otherwise indicated. The articles do not necessarily represent the views of the National Federation of Consumer Groups, its Groups or its members. © 2000 NfCG
The Executive Committee of NfCG has decided to make an award this year to someone who has worked long and hard for the betterment of the Consumers' lot. A voting form is being sent to Groups and Individual Members with nominations and space to add further nominations. The winner will be announced and the award presented at the House of Lords reception on September 8th.
For various reasons this issue is rather late in reaching you, but do not despair, we aim to catch up again. Please, therefore, send any contributions (which will be most welcome) to me.
The e-mail address is editor@ncf.info
John Brown
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