[ian@huth]

Chrysalis, qualifications do not equate to full knowledge and understanding. I have come across hundreds of people with qualifications in business studies and many other fields who couldn't last a month in the real world.

Do NTL make a profit out of giving someone 12 months broadband for £9.99 per month? I very much doubt it when you consider the costs involved in installation, supply of equipment, billing, etc. So why do you think they do it? Or do you think that they do make a profit? Did NTL make a profit out of dial-up internet when they were supplying it for free?

Did Dixons make a profit out of dial-up internet when they launched the Freserve product in 1998? Why did they launch a subscription free service when no other company had one? Perhaps the one million customers (30% of the UK internet market) that they signed up in the first five months could give you a clue.

I don't feel ripped off because new customers are getting a better deal than me. I look at the price I am paying and the service I am getting and compare it to offers from other ISPs. I have a service that does what I want it to at a competitive price and with a very good service level. I may be able to get a slightly cheaper and faster service but I couldn't be sure that it would be as reliable as my NTL broadband service has been. There would also be all the hassle of changing suppliers, an important fact and a bit of a pointer for you.