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Ameritech ups 'Net price
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May 1, 1998: 12:11 p.m. ET
Unlimited Internet prices to rise this summer, will pay for telecom upgrades
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - In the latest in a series of efforts by Internet service providers to test consumer thresholds, Ameritech said Friday it will boost its unlimited Internet access rates to cover the costs of network upgrades.
The Chicago-based telecommunications provider said its monthly price for unlimited usage will increase to $21.95 beginning June 1, up from $19.95 today.
The company's annual price for unlimited access will climb to $213, from $189.
"This year we will increase our network investment by 66 percent over 1997, so we can upgrade our infrastructure to meet our customers' needs," said Valeri Marks, president of Ameritech Interactive Media Services. "These changes will enable us to keep up with our members' increased usage as we continue to lead the industry in providing reliable dial-up Internet access with premier customer service."
According to the company, the number of Ameritech.net subscribers has doubled since November. At the same time, the average usage length per customer grew 30 percent.
The company said its basic Internet access rate of $8.95 for 10 hours remains unchanged. The same goes for the company's high speed Internet access and ISDN unlimited access service at $49.95.
Ameritech is not alone.
Last February America Online said it would raise its monthly charges.
And in March, increased usage by a small portion of its customers prompted AT&T WorldNet to look for new ways to free up more time on its existing Internet infrastructure.
The company conducted a trial in 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 limiting user access would free up enough infrastructure to serve all of WorldNet's 1.2 million members.
Shares of Ameritech (AIT) were trading at 42 13/16, up 1/4 in early trading Friday.
Ameritech serves millions of customers in 50 states and 40 countries. 
-- from staff and wire reports
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Ameritech
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