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WorldNet may limit access
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March 10, 1998: 7:07 p.m. ET
In trial, AT&T unit has cut users off after three hours during peak period
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - Increased usage by a small portion of its customers has AT&T WorldNet considering modifying its unlimited pricing plan.
AT&T WorldNet just ended a trial during which it cut users off after three hours of activity from 7 p.m. to midnight Eastern time.
The test was designed to determine whether cutting users off after three hours would free up enough infrastructure to serve all of WorldNet's 1.2 million members.
Although the test did anger some members, AT&T spokesman Mike Keady said the company felt limiting continuous sessions would be a more palatable way to lower system demand without penalizing the majority that aren't heavy users.
"This [trial] stems from the same problem that most ISPs have been having, which is increasing session length. There is a small number of people that are using an enormous number of hours. These people, especially during prime time, are tying up half of our facilities," he said.
Keady said WorldNet's goal is for its modems to answer on the first ring, although the increased usage made it impossible for some customers to connect quickly.
"Our figures are showing that the number of customers getting in on the first ring is decreasing despite the fact that our infrastructure is increasing," he said.
Keady said WorldNet officials felt limiting continuous access was the fairest option available.
"Some have taken the route of increasing price to pour money into facilities, but that hits 100 percent of users. [Limiting continuous access] is a hassle, but it's more of a hassle to extract money from everybody for the behavior of a few," he said.
Keady acknowledged that the restrictions would aggravate those trying to download large files. The only alternative for those users would be to schedule large downloads on the weekends.
WorldNet isn't the first Internet provider to take action to limit access by heavy users, although its strategy is unique. Early last month, market leader America Online Inc. said it is hiking its monthly fee for unlimited access by $2 to $21.95.
In an attempt to lure customers upset over the rate hikes, MCI Communications Corp. last week announced it will offer unlimited Internet access to its long-distance subscribers for $14.95 a month. Sprint Communications Co. also reportedly is testing a 10 percent discount for customers who sign up for any three of its services. They can choose from Internet service, paging, long-distance and local phone service.
Internet providers Erols Internet and US Internet also have launched publicity campaigns designed to lure users upset at AOL's price hike.
-- by staff writer Cyrus Afzali
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