Screaming.net, the UK internet service provider that caused a stir last week by launching a totally free off-peak service, has apologized for the trouble its subscribers have been suffering for the last 10 days. Reports suggest that people trying to subscribe are unable to, and the help-line facilities are too understaffed to cope. Those who actually manage to register have reported difficulties with elementary functions such as sending email and web browsing.
Screaming.net is a service of Localtel Ltd, a small telco, and Tempo Ltd, a chain of electrical shops. Demand for the service, which charges no subscription and no call charges after 6pm and at weekends, has been so high that tabloid reports say fights have broken out in Tempo branches.
A spokesperson for the company acknowledged that the service had been suffering from teething troubles, despite the fact that Localtel promised it would only register as many customers as its network (from Colt Telecom) could handle. The service appears to have become a victim of its own success. Localtel says it installed new ports onto the system twice last week, and has taken on new call center staff, but still finds it hard to cope.
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