Reed dumps ISP offerings in new media strategy review

NEWS Most of the services are virtual ISPs run as "stickiness applications" to promote the respective websites of the magazines and keep customers coming back. However, many didn't attract large numbers of customers, and Reed Business Information (RBI) is now closing them down. Fifteen other respected trade titles, including Flight International and Travel Weekly, are also losing their ISP services. Users of Newscientist.com and the other ISPs facing the chop will have to change email addresses. A handful of more popular services, including the ISPs for Estates Gazette and Farmers Weekly, will escape the cull. Most users will be migrated to Powergen's virtual ISP service, which is run by Affinity Internet. Computer Weekly's users will migrate to Reed's new online brand, CW360.com. An email from Richard Hollis, alliances director at RBI, explains the decision: "In recent weeks RBI has been conducting an extensive review of its own-brand ISPs. Following this review, RBI has taken the decision to return its focus and resources to its core business of publishing magazines and websites. It is therefore with regret that this email is to announce the forthcoming closure of your current RBI ISP."