06 Jun 2002 10:29
Microsoft's MSN said on Wednesday that Hotmail users who want to retrieve email from outside accounts through the service will have to pay up starting July 16.
In an email notice to Hotmail users, MSN announced that for $19.95 a year, MSN Extra Storage would allow them to continue to use POP Mail Retrieval. The POP service allows customers to access various email accounts through one Hotmail account.
In addition, the paid service provides 10MB of Hotmail storage, allowing people to send and receive larger attachments, and ensures that unused accounts will not expire. Hotmail requires its free users to log on every 30 days to keep an account active.
"Those people who are already paying for MSN Extra Storage will not have any increase in fees," said Parul Shah, product manager for MSN. "With 110 million Hotmail users, MSN needs to drive revenue to support the resources that it takes to provide free services."
This move is yet another sign that the free Internet ride is over. The Hotmail announcement is just the latest in a series of companies beginning to charge for Internet services that were once free. Last month, Yahoo! implemented fees for checking email outside of its services and storing some data through Yahoo Photos and Briefcase.
Hotmail users recently have seen some folders cleaned out and some email messages returned to the sender as MSN attempts to convince heavy email users to upgrade to the increased storage offered in the premium version of Hotmail.
Separately on Wednesday, MSN launched MSN Shopping Alerts, which lets consumers know about sales on certain e-commerce sites. This service is free, but Microsoft says it will eventually charge a fee for it.
Have your say instantly, and see what others have said. Go to the ZDNet news forum.
Let the editors know what you think in the Mailroom.
Copyright © 1995-2008 CNET Networks, Inc. All rights reserved
ZDNET is a registered service mark of CNET Networks, Inc. ZDNET Logo is a service mark of CNET Networks, Inc.