30 July 2006

BT chief executive Ben Verwaayen has hit out at the promise of a future of free telephone calls for all.

In the last few months there have been numerous offers, including free internet telephone services which turn out to have small print or limitations that dilute the headline claim.

“One way or the other you [the customer] will pay for people to make investments. Otherwise you are getting your service from a charity,” Verwaayen told the Sunday Herald.

Companies such as Skype, JaJah.com and even high street retailer Tesco have launched internet telephone services which emphasise the word “free” as a hook in marketing campaigns.