BT shuts down dial-up network

BT has called time on its dial-up internet service, but has stressed that only a "tiny number of customers" would be affected by the closure.

The overwhelming majority of those affected will be able to switch over to broadband, which should also work out cheaper for them too, according to the telco.

No one is being left without the option of an alternative service.

However, around 1,000 BT customers - mainly in rural areas - will not be able to move to broadband. BT suggested that these customers could transfer to its Plusnet subsidiary.

The dial-up service cost users around 17.25 per month. BT wrote to customers in June explaining the decision to terminate narrowband internet services and urged them to transfer to broadband, which available from 10 per month. It said that broadband connectivity would offer customers a more consistent and reliable service than dial-up.

"BT can confirm it is closing its dial-up service in September," a BT spokesman said. "This is a legacy product that is only used by a tiny number of customers, most of whom can easily transfer on to broadband for a cheaper price. Our estimate is that only 1,000 of the current customers will be unable to access broadband following the change but they will continue to have dial-up access via Plusnet should they choose to, once again for a cheaper price."

"No one is being left without the option of an alternative service," the spokesman added.

The shut down of dial-up coincides with BT's roll out of fibre broadband to the more rural parts of the UK as part of BDUK. Just recently, the telco won a 16.9 million deal to roll out superfast broadband to 95 per cent of homes and businesses in Leicestershire. The firm also scooped a deal worth 24.6 million to roll out fibre broadband in Essex.

Rene Millman

Rene Millman is a freelance writer and broadcaster who covers cybersecurity, AI, IoT, and the cloud. He also works as a contributing analyst at GigaOm and has previously worked as an analyst for Gartner covering the infrastructure market. He has made numerous television appearances to give his views and expertise on technology trends and companies that affect and shape our lives. You can follow Rene Millman on Twitter.