Ihug lifts block on free net services

By MICHAEL FOREMAN

Ihug has reversed a restriction stopping its customers from accessing free net services, following widespread complaints from users and condemnation from the Internet Society of New Zealand.

The Weekend Herald was able to access all pages of both the freenet and i4free websites last night, including their sign-up areas, using an Ihug internet account.

Last Tuesday, Ihug managing director Nick Wood admitted that two websites were being blocked because he did not believe the free service model was viable.

Jennifer Northover, chairwoman of the society's policy committee, said the society was pleased the block had been removed. As a platinum member, Ihug was a signatory to the society's Internet Code of Practice, but the company's action was in clear breach of that.

Asked what bearing Ihug's action would have on its membership, Ms Northover said the code was intended as a self-regulatory measure for the local internet industry and the society expected members to honour its terms.

The society would soon institute a public complaints procedure where future breaches of the code could be reported.

Freenet chief executive Karim Hussona said his company had been about to start legal proceedings before the ban was lifted.

I4free chief executive Annette Presley also welcomed the u-turn.

"That is great. Common sense has prevailed."

But her company had been too preoccupied with its legal fight with Telecom to consider taking action against Ihug.

Ihug's blocking move has been the subject of a considerable number of complaints on the nz.comp and ihug.general newsgroups and several Ihug users have vowed to seek other service providers.