Future of AOL to be decided soon

[gem]

From The Register

Future of AOL to be decided soon
By Tim Richardson
Published Tuesday 6th December 2005 10:43 GMT

The ongoing saga over the future of AOL could be nearing a conclusion. Last month, AOL's parent Time Warner confirmed that it was holding "exploratory" talks with a number of operators over the future of its AOL internet division concerning a "range of potential strategic relationships and transactions".

This merely confirmed stories that had been buzzing around for months that AOL may - or may not - be up for sale.

And according to the Financial Times, that's essentially where AOL remains today - except the internet company is a little closer to a decision on whether to flog or not.

In fact, a decision could be made within the next couple of weeks. By which time, Time Warner may have decided to flog a minority stake in the AOL business to either Microsoft or Google. Or not.

'Cos it's still possible that Time Warner will decide to hang on to all of AOL and just enter some kind of partnership with either Microsoft or Google. Roll-on decision time. ®

are their prices coming down? thats all im interested in with aol.

[gem]

Well, you tell us since your using AOL!

i think they're just waiting for elvis to return before they drop their prices

I've been with AOL for some time and I receive no emails advising me of any changes - Do other isps keep in touch with their members?

With the likes of Wanadoo and Bulldog - amongst many others - raising speeds I wonder whether AOL will make any efforts to retain business. They used to be the 2nd largest isp and now the 4th - ref ispreview

No. - ISP NAME - Subscribers
1. BT Retail (3,121,000)
2. Wanadoo (2,400,000)
3. NTL (2,329,300)
4. AOL UK (2,300,000)
5. Tiscali (1,820,000)
6. Telewest BY (993,373)
7. Breathe (630,000)
8. Clara.net (450,000)
9. Entanet (339,181)
10. Pipex (250,000)

Re Are AOL dropping there prices?

Could be happening soon as i got a xmas card thingy in the post xmas eve telling me that they are upping 1Mbps to 2Mbps at no extra cost.

As i only pay £19.99 for 1Mbps I'm looking forward to 2Mbps for £19.99.

Moe info AOL Keyword:Speed Upgrade

GF

[centaur]

I've been with AOL for some time and I receive no emails advising me of any changes - Do other isps keep in touch with their members?

Originally Posted by rruwalton

TBH, all my previous experience shows that the vast majority of ISP's are bloody useless when it come to the ONE THING they're supposed to be good at....communications !

ANY organisation which uses premium rate phone numbers (that includes 0870) to a 'helpline' or worse 'customer service' is almost universally crap at doing anything constructive from my experience. This also goes for ANY high street shops or insurance and especially banks too...crap, all of them !!!


The amazing thing is, WHY DO WE TOLERATE IT ??

We tolerate it simply because we don't have any real choice and so we stay with the same companies. We also can't be bothered with the hassle.

GF, I don't know how long you have been with AOL but I never received the mailer you did.

[druid]

We tolerate it simply because we don't have any real choice and so we stay with the same companies. We also can't be bothered with the hassle.

GF, I don't know how long you have been with AOL but I never received the mailer you did.

Originally Posted by rruwalton

FWIW I have not received any mail from Aol about a speed upgrade, some people seem to have had a Christmas card from them!

I am on Aol Gold 1Meg at £24.99.

rruwalton & druid

Have been with AOL for 5 years now,but had a massive ruck with them in November this year over the new driver upgrade.Told them to shove there ISP so they agreed to drop my charge to 19.99 for 1m.

Perhaps thats why i'm on the crimbo card list.

BTW i was on the 0870 help line last month for an hour and a half and dreading the bill coming in when it did all i was charged was £1.95.......Touch.

Crimbo Card http://channels.aolsvc.co.uk/discove...09103209990008

GF

Any chance of you emailing me the card please - rruwalton@hotmail.com

rruwalton

Click the crimbo card link in my post its exactly the same.


GF

[druid]

rruwalton

Click the crimbo card link in my post its exactly the same.


GF

Originally Posted by Gruntfuttock

Well I must be a thickie, I clicked the link and it just defaults to AOL.co.uk page, cannot see any card?

[druid]

rruwalton

Click the crimbo card link in my post its exactly the same.


GF

Originally Posted by Gruntfuttock

It only works if logged on with Aol software.

druid, you're right.

I wont be installing AOL software.

[druid]

druid, you're right.

I wont be installing AOL software.

Originally Posted by rruwalton

I have it on one of my pc's there is the odd time when you need to use it.

[druid]

This is the card from the website.

Thank you druid

[centaur]

If my ISP sent me a card, I'd ask them why they were wasting money on it instead of ploughing it back into the business !

It's called trying to retain business and build customer loyalty. I welcome any discounts or improved services.

[druid]

If my ISP sent me a card, I'd ask them why they were wasting money on it instead of ploughing it back into the business !

Originally Posted by centaur

Does your ISP Never advertise? Whether a company advertises it's wares via TV, Mail shots or Press adverts it all amounts to the same thing, unless a company advertises then they will only obtain new users by word of mouth, not exactly a good way to expand.

TBH I would much prefer to deal with a company that keeps contact with me than one that takes my cash and I never hear from, sending Christmas cards to customers can be good for business as it makes the majority of people feel appreciated.

[centaur]

Does your ISP Never advertise? Whether a company advertises it's wares via TV, Mail shots or Press adverts it all amounts to the same thing, unless a company advertises then they will only obtain new users by word of mouth, not exactly a good way to expand.

TBH I would much prefer to deal with a company that keeps contact with me than one that takes my cash and I never hear from, sending Christmas cards to customers can be good for business as it makes the majority of people feel appreciated.

Originally Posted by druid

So far as I'm concerned, virtually ANY ISP lacks ANY concern for their customers.
Most cannot even be bothered to communicate either sensibly or even at reasonable rates.

Until they act like the better high street retailers in their dealings, I shall continue to treat them as the pariahs they are in their dealings with our collective problems with them !

[druid]

So far as I'm concerned, virtually ANY ISP lacks ANY concern for their customers.
Most cannot even be bothered to communicate either sensibly or even at reasonable rates.

Originally Posted by centaur

But I didn't say they cared! I said -:

sending Christmas cards to customers can be good for business as it makes the majority of people feel appreciated.

Which is quite different IMHO, Just because someone feels appreciated does not mean they are.

[centaur]

But I didn't say they cared! I said -:

Which is quite different IMHO, Just because someone feels appreciated does not mean they are.

Originally Posted by druid

Maybe you're more easily 'swayed' then, but Christmas Cards from someone I don't know are meaningless and treated in that vein, rather like TV avertisements !

I think AOL will be upgrading there broadband for all costumers,i know AOL silver will be upgraded to 1Mbps and i think gold and silver will be upgraded too, all this will be done in June

[druid]

Maybe you're more easily 'swayed' then, but Christmas Cards from someone I don't know are meaningless and treated in that vein, rather like TV avertisements !

Originally Posted by centaur

You have missed my point yet again, I run my own retail business for 30 odd years and I know that when we sent cards to our customers most were very pleased and I know it helped with our business, of course it does not impress everyone such as yourself but overall customers do like to be appreciated.

Your original point was that you did not wish your isp to waste money sending you cards, I am trying to illustrate that the sending of cards may help Aol keep customers and hence even help keep costs down, it's just another way of advertising.

Whether you approve or not the company that sends cards obviously believe it helps their business.

[centaur]

Does your ISP Never advertise? Whether a company advertises it's wares via TV, Mail shots or Press adverts it all amounts to the same thing, unless a company advertises then they will only obtain new users by word of mouth, not exactly a good way to expand.

TBH I would much prefer to deal with a company that keeps contact with me than one that takes my cash and I never hear from, sending Christmas cards to customers can be good for business as it makes the majority of people feel appreciated.

Originally Posted by druid

I don't think I missed your point at all, since you clearly feel that any such Christmas card is nothing more than advertising if coming from a business. Personally, and I concede that others may not feel the same, I feel this demeans the purpose of such cards. Many folk hang their Christmas cards up in the house sort of decoratively, would any of them include a card from a business do you think ?
Whilst it probably doesn't actually do any harm, perhaps businesses overestimate the effect that these cards have.

What was the topic again?

[druid]

What was the topic again?

Originally Posted by rruwalton

Lol The Aol Christmas card!