BBC Networking Club. The BBC Networking Club has access to BBC resources and it can act as a back-up to the wide range of TV programmes. It has a link with the National Council for Educational Technology and BBC education officers are busily researching areas that will link in with the curriculum. Subscribers have exclusive access to extra information on bulletin boards. Signing-on fee is Pounds 25 and the monthly subscription is Pounds 12 (minimum 12 months). A new range of access points (points of presence) gives 80 per cent UK coverage.

BBC Networking Club, PO Box 7, London W3 6XJ. Tel: 0181 576 7799 Research Machines plc

RM is new to on-line work and has set up one of the friendliest sites on the Internet. RM offers a censored service. Its sign-on fee is Pounds 25 and annual subscription is Pounds 120 (12 months minimum). It is also willing to discuss lease lines and providing pages to schools. At present there are six points of presence. RM will negotiate with schools to ensure use for a specific number of hours per month.

Research Machines plc, 83 Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxford 0X14 4SE. Tel: 01235 826000

CampusWorld

CampusWorld, which will be launched for education and homes in September, promises a lot for education. The CampusWorld part of BT claims more experience of on-line work for education than any other. It promises innovation and, in addition to the Internet access, subscribers will have exclusive access to all the services offered by Campus such as Teletel, the French service, FT Profile, the database of UK newspapers, and Ordnance Survey information. A special needs service is also promised, supplied by Northwest Semerc. All that CampusWorld will say at the moment is that its fees will be competitive (minimum 12 months). It hopes to have almost complete coverage of the country.

CampusWorld, Network House, Brindley Way, Apsley, Hemel Hempstead, Herts HP3 9RR. Tel: 01345 626253

Education Exchange (EDEX)

Access points (points of presence) all over the country. Education support is good and it offers a wide range of services. Possibly the cheapest with no sign-on fee and Pounds 70 annual subscription.

EDEX, TCNS Ltd, 3 Stroud Road, Wimbledon Park, London SW19 8DQ. Tel: 0181 944 8021

Microsoft

Microsoft will launch an Internet service (Microsoft Network) in August with Windows 95. It should be possible to access the Internet and Microsoft Network from the new version of Windows. But prices have not yet been released. There will be 50 points of presence nationally. Like BT, Microsoft will have an area which will only be accessible to Microsoft Network subscribers (and there will be a filtered service).

Microsoft, Microsoft Place, Winnersh, Wokingham, Berks RG11 5TP. Tel: 01734 270001

CityScape

The signing on fee is Pounds 50 and the annual subscription is Pounds 180. Cityscape has a full range of services and claims that its system is user-friendly and the software easy to install. It has six points of presence through England and Scotland. Telephone support is very good, but procedures bureaucratic.

CityScape Internet Services, 59 Wycliffe Road, Cambridge CB13JE. Tel: 01223 566950

Demon

Demon is inexpensive and basic. If you are new to communications it is probably not for you. If you are technically adept then you may well be able to handle it. It has a good range of services and good coverage of the country. Subscription is Pounds 10 per month and the sign-on fee is Pounds 12.50. No on-line charges. Telephone support variable.

Demon Internet Ltd, Gateway House, 322 Regents Park Road, London N3 2QQ. Tel: 0181 371 1234

Delphi and CompuServe

These are both subscription services with fairly complicated tariff rates. Each has a walled garden of on-line resources. Internet access can also be obtained. Both have access numbers throughout the country and on-line charges.

CompuServe, 1 Redcliffe Street, PO Box 676, Bristol BS99 1YN. Tel: 0800 289378

Delphi, The Elephant House, Hawley Crescent, London NW1 8NP. Tel: 0171 715 7080, 0171 757 7150

Zynet

Point of presence in Exeter and various tariffs for educational users. Initial fee is Pounds 20 and monthly charge dependent on the kind of account.

Zynet, Minerva House, Baring Crescent, Exeter EX1 1TL. Tel: 01392 426160 Almac BBS Ltd

Almac supplies full Internet connection services; sign-on fee is Pounds 120, then Pounds 88.30 per year.

Service is mainly in central Scotland.

Almac BBS Ltd, 141 Bo’ness Road, Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, Scotland FK3 9BS. Tel: 01324 666336

Apple On-line Services

The user-friendly eWorld service will provides Internet access for Apple users. Basic tariffs are inexpensive but there are on-line charges.

Apple On-line Services, 6 Roundwood Avenue, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex UB11 1BB. Tel: 0800 585682

Atlas Internet

Offers full Internet service for Pounds 25 sign-on fee plus Pounds 120 annual subscription. ISDN service also available. Six points of presence with 40 more due.

Atlas Internet, 19 Devonshire Street, London W1N 1FS. Tel: 0171 312 0400 CIX

Offers limited Internet access but good off-line readers to simplify e-mail and save telephone costs.

CIX (Compulink Information eXchange) Ltd, London House, Ancaster, Llanrwst, Gwynedd LL26 0LD. Tel: 01492 641 961 or 0181 390 8446

Direct Connection

Monthly fee of Pounds 10 with six points of presence across the country.

Direct Connection, PO Box 931, London SE18 3PW. Tel: 0181 317 0100 Dungeon Network Systems

No initial fee. First month is free and then Pounds 10 per month. Points of presence in Suffolk, but will soon have others in London and Ipswich.

Dungeon Network Systems, 3 Hazel Close, Mildenhall, Suffolk IP28 7HU. Tel: 01366 383407

Easynet

Monthly payment Pounds 9.90 with a Pounds 25 registration fee. This is the service that feeds into the Cyberia Internet cafe in London.

Easynet, 39 Whitfield Street, London W1P 5RE. Tel: 0171 209 0990

Genesis Project Ltd

Pounds 25 sign-on fee, then Pounds 15 monthly for high-speed lines (Pounds 10 for slower ones ).

International Trade Centre, Interpoint, 20-24 York Street, Belfast, Northern Ireland BT15 1AQ. Tel: 01232 231622

Nildram On-Line

New service with a variety of payment plans. Standard is Pounds 30 per quarter with Pounds 10 set-up fee. Easy to set up and good support - 30 points of presence by 1996.

Nildram On-Line, 82 Akeman St, Tring, Herts HP23 6AF. Tel: 01442 891331 Pavilion Internet Plc

The initial charge is Pounds 17.75, then Pounds 17.75 per month. Access is mainly to the Sussex area.

Pavilion Internet plc, Aqua House 24 Old Steine, East Sussex BN1 1EL. Tel: 01273 607072

PC User Group (Winnet-UK)

Registration Pounds 10 then Pounds 7.25 per month. Six points of presence.

PC User Group (Winnet UK), 84-88 Pinner Road, Harrow, London HA1 4LQ. Tel: 0181 863 1191