UK Online

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UK Online is a consumer Internet service provider that operates within the UK. Initially launching in November 2004 with a 1MB service, they did not appear to be offering anything out of the ordinary. However, they quickly followed up by launching one of the UK's first consumer 8MB services in the same month. At the initial price of £39.99 a month, the service caused quite a stir in the UK broadband market. The 8MB service was only available in areas serviced by the parent company Easynet's LLU operations. Areas not covered were offered traditional speed products based on BT wholesale products. Along with planned speed upgrades by cable supplier Telewest, the UK Online 8MB service helped spur a series of investments by other ISPs in the UK in an effort to keep up.

As of March 2007 UK Online provided 1MB from £9.99, 2MB from £14.99, 8MB from £19.99 and 22MB from £24.99 monthly - all with unlimited usage limits.

Since the regulatory approval of ADSL2+ technology in the UK, UK Online have been able to offer services with speeds up to 22MB. This is still based on the Easynet LLU coverage however.

In December 2005 BSkyB purchased Easynet and so now also owns UK Online. Since this purchase, BSkyB have entered the Triple Play market. There was talk of UK Online possibly being phased out but they continue to increase custom and are seeing a rise in new orders. UK Online continue to exist as a separate entity from Sky Broadband.

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