ICQ to Charge? Lies, Damn lies!

ICQ Inc. shareholders unhappy that ICQ isn't paying
In any case, the first rumors that money would be charged for the popular service appeared on the very first day of its launching. All rumors about ICQ charges are included into the “Lies, Damn Lies” column on icq.com. This means that no payment is to be introduced for ICQ. So far, at least.

I hope there is no need to explain what ICQ is; this program has been very popular with millions of people for several years already. It’s convenient, quick, and safe. Better than e-mails. However, tastes differ.

Information appeared on the Russian Internet today that ICQ would be a paid service starting with January 1, 2003. According to Membrana magazine, shareholders of the program owner, ICQ Inc., are dissatisfied with the fact that they aren't making money. That is why several variants are suggested to solve the problem.

The first one supposes that a monthly fee at the rate of 20 USD should be charged. The second is to charge nothing, but limit the number of messages sent by every user. The third is to insert advertising into the text of messages.

It is perfectly clear that ICQ users are displeased with all three variants. Which is also evident for ICQ Inc. managers. Therefore, we aren't so sure that ICQ is to become a paid service. In any case, the first rumors that money would be charged for the popular service appeared on the very first day of its launching. All rumors about ICQ charges are included into the “Lies, Damn Lies” column on icq.com. This means that no payment is to be introduced for ICQ. So far, at least.

It is not ruled out that the rivals of the popular Internet pager are spreading this information. At the same time, it isn’t ruled out as well that the service will charge money. You know, there are lots of rumors on the Internet on different topics. Therefore, time will tell whether or not the ICQ rumors are true or false, especially since not so much time is left until the presumptive imposition of charges.

Vasily Bubnov PRAVDA.Ru

Translated by Maria Gousseva

Read the original in Russian: http://www.pravda.ru/main/2002/10/02/47904.html

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