AOL is deciding to start giving away it’s stuff for free. No, not just the trial CD’s everywhere, but actually their entire service. Well, almost their entire service. They’ll be holding onto their paying dial-up customers, although I’m sure they’d love to get rid of them to somehow, although that would be a definite challenge. It’s amazing to me that dial-up accounts with AOL are more expensive than many DSL plans that are available. It’s understood though, since dial-up numbers are still the only option some citizens have to connect to the internet. Maybe if the TELCO’s were really interested in offering services, they’d allow dial-up access for free to everyone in their calling area.
What AOL will start offering free is basically what was known as the BYOA (Bring Your Own Access) plans they offered to users that wanted to rely on another ISP instead of America Offline Online. Through declining subscribers and increases available and being seen in advertising. Eyes are more valuable than subscriptions to a degree.
I think this is a good move for AOL. I think they should get back to their original name of “America Online” and become a full-blown content provider. With their relationship with Time Warner, they could really be fairly broad and deep in their offerings between music, movies and magazine information. They could become the center for things of American culture. They could totally turn themselves into a bustling online community with their content, chat rooms, etc. With the explosion of blogging and their purchase of Weblogs, Inc., it just may be the opportunity for them to rise like a phoenix from their own ashes.
What do you think? Is this their last dying chance of glory again?
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