MSN Courts AOL Users with Lower Cost

While AOL is raising prices for dial-up subscribers in an effort to entice users to switch to broadband, MSN said Tuesday it would do the opposite. Through June 30, MSN would allow new subscribers to sign up for a free month of dial-up service, followed by 12 months at $17.95 USD per month. After that period, the monthly charge would return to the normal dial-up rate.

Currently, MSN charges $21.95 USD per month for dial-up access. In comparison, AOL currently charges $25.90, up from $23.90 USD previously. "As longstanding AOL dial-up subscribers begin exploring alternatives to a monthly price increase, Microsoft believes that this new competitive offer will give consumers an incentive to switch to MSN Dial-Up for their dial-up provider," a Microsoft spokesperson told BetaNews.