Survey: ISP deals favoring IE
A new report contends that it has become harder for newcomers to the Net to obtain browsers made by Microsoft rivals.
Although Microsoft has dropped provisions in licensing agreements that require Internet service providers to promote its Internet Explorer browser over Netscape Communications' Navigator, residual effects remain, according to the report issued by Microsoft critic NetAction.
"The disturbing reality is that the four largest retail Internet service providers, with a combined subscriber base of over 20 million customers, distribute only Internet Explorer to their customers," the report states. "Compared to NetAction's survey a year ago, Microsoft's dominance has only grown."
Microsoft dismissed the report. "Consumers have always had complete freedom to use any browsing technology they want," said spokesman Jim Cullinan. "That continues to be the case."
Cullinan questioned NetAction's impartiality, contending that the group receives in-kind support from Microsoft competitors. NetAction denies this.
The report comes at the same time as a new survey showing that Navigator lost another 8.9 percent of the browser market during the past six months, while Internet Explorer gained 9.6 percent. Still, the report, issued by AdKnowledge, estimated that more than half the market--52.2 percent--still uses Netscape's browser, making it the dominant player.
According to the report, the four largest providers of Internet service--America Online, Internet MCI, Microsoft Network, and CompuServe--bundle only Internet Explorer with the software they ship to new subscribers, even when the customers ask for an alternative browser.
Also, AT&T's WorldNet, will ship Netscape if a customer asks, but the report contends that "[AT&T] customer service agents discourage customers from choosing Netscape if they request it."
However, in three calls made to WorldNet's customer service, agents said users were free to use either browser, and offered to ship Navigator upon request.
Other smaller ISPs-including Prodigy, MindSpring, and Concentric Network--also decline to include Navigator in their start-up kits.
By comparison, three, relatively small services ship Navigator exclusively, according to the report. They include Pacific Bell Internet, Bell Atlantic, and Ameritech.
Ed Hansen, a spokesman for MindSpring, confirmed that the Atlanta-based ISP ships only Internet Explorer to new customers using Intel-based computers. Customers using Apple Computer Macintoshes receive Netscape's browser.
A recent poll conducted by the New York Times cast the majority of Net users as "passive recipients of computer technology," finding that more than half had never installed a software program.
Representatives from the other ISPs could not be reached for comment.