Spry launches new dial-up Net service

Spry, CompuServe's Internet access service division, is arming itself against encroachment from the big telecommunications companies with a new service to get corporate employees on the Net through dial-up connections.

Sprynet Group Connect allows companies to provide employees, partners, and customers with dial-up Internet access through any of the company's international points of presence, allowing them to dial a local number instead of calling long distance from remote locations.

In addition, instead of having to maintain separate accounts for each individual, the service centralizes billing for all accounts. The service also features a cost-sharing option so that certain accounts can be subsidized by the company while others are not.

For companies with 25 or more accounts, Sprynet Group Connect is priced at $19.95 per month for 25 hours plus $1.50 for each additional hour. Companies can also order seven hours per month for $9.95, plus $1.95 for each additional hour. Companies with fewer than 25 accounts must pay an additional registration fee.

Sprynet Group Connect customers with 25 to 250 accounts will receive free hosting services for home pages, including 5MB of server disk space for each user. A Group Connect customer with more than 250 accounts also gets to pick its own domain name for no additional fee.

Related stories:
Attacked by telcos, Netcom fights back
ISPs bark at telco competitors
AT&T enters Internet service provider game
Internet providers: your complete guide
Finding the best Internet access provider

RealAudio coverage: CNET Radio