MSN Israel CEO: The era of free Internet is over.
The ''Yediot Ahronot'' Hebrew daily reports that Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) has chosen Israel as the first country in the world in which it will charge a fee for use of its local hotmail services.
Hotmail services are provided free of charge around the world. MSN Israel CEO Doron Liebstein said, "MSN Israel will soon be authorized by the Ministry of Communications to provide Internet connectivity, like NetVision and Internet Gold, and will charge $21 for a 24 hour-a-day Internet hookup, which will include all MSN Israel content for free, include e-mail. Other surfers in Israel will have to pay for a mailbox."
According to Liebstein, the era of free Internet is over, and both content and e-mail services will eventually cost surfers money.
Published by Israel's Business Arena on February 12, 2002