AOL UK has announced that it will be removing its Hometown Webspace FTP service.

At the end of October, the internet service provider (ISP) will no longer allow customers to have personal FTP accessible space online to create their own small websites.

The company stated that the rising use of other web hosting services on the internet meant that many of its customers were already looking elsewhere.

Consequently, the Hometown service no longer has the same level of demand that it used to.

A statement from the ISP said: "We have to look carefully at all of AOL's features to make sure we are offering as much value to our members as possible."

It added: "We've decided to focus more on popular free features like email, AIM, AOL Radio and AOL Desktop."

Some users have expressed frustration at the one-month's notice they have been given.

DavidB who runs his village website using AOL's service stated that the move could be the "end of AOL".

He commented: "I must certainly migrate to another ISP to keep the village website going."

Experts at ISP Review stated that the removal of free features such as this was becoming an increasingly common practice among ISPs because there are too many free alternatives already available.

In related news, Mac users who are considering moving ISPs may wish to consider AOL as it has updated its AIM for the Mac for the first time in four years.

The company said that it is making the move as many users who are moving from PC to Mac are demanding an "officially branded client".


Monday, 6th October 2008

Back to Broadband News

Provider	Package	Speed	Download Limit	Setup Cost	Monthly Cost	More Info
	BT Broadband - Option 1	Up To 8Mbps	10GB	FREE	£7.95	Go >>
	TalkTalk Broadband - Essentials	Up To 8Mbps	40GB	£29.99	£6.49	Go >>
	BT Broadband - Option 2	Up To 8Mbps	15GB	FREE	£13.99	Go >>
	AOL Broadband - Wireless + E&W	Up To 8Mbps†	10GB	FREE	£4.99	Go >>
	Virgin Media Broadband - M - Cable	Up To 2Mbps	Unlimited *	£30.00	£4.50	Go >>

* Fair Usage Policy applies. Click on Go to find out more information and Fair Usage Policy conditions for relevant providers.

** All Costs excludes the cost of line rental.

† Speeds in excess of 2 meg are only available in certain areas. Top speeds vary significantly, particularly according to how far away you live from the exchange.
If your line won’t support our fastest broadband speed we’ll give you the best available. The speed you actually get can also vary depending on the quality of your line, the wiring in your house, the time of day and even the weather.