Thanks MoPar for following that up. I did see that news item a while ago
and decided to do nothing until I am forced to. My main contention, that
Pipex is committed to usenet, is valid. The developments just mean that I
might wind up paying. Maybe my monthly download does not exceed the free
base amount.

I am not sure what the current server problems are, but I do sometimes not
see my posts, only reading them in somebody's reply. However, I have seen
other people reporting this, even though they are not on Pipex. Since I
switched to the text-based server a while ago I get the new stuff downloaded
pretty quickly.

Pipex is still getting over the old business relationship within MCI. For
example, the domain name registration service is still ridiculously
expensive, going via an old MCI division in the US. However, Pipex recently
bought a large local company and when I come to renew I'll probably go via
that, saving maybe 50% or 75% on present costs.

FYI Pipex was started here in the UK. It was taken over by UUNet, which
ultimately became part of MCI Worldcom. The Pipex brand name was used for
certain services throughout this period and now the company is back to
calling itself Pipex, even though the (newish) parent has/had another name.
Pipex is itself on the acquisition trail... blah blah blah...

DAS
--
For direct contact replace nospam with schmetterling
---

"MoPar Man" > wrote in message
...
> Dori A Schmetterling wrote:
>
>> My ISP is Pipex (UK), once part of the MCI Worldcom grouping.
>> ... it does not look as if my ISP is moving away from usenet.
>
> -----------------
>
> http://www.pipexsupport.com/main/news_service.php
>
> The New News Service ...
>
> PIPEX have just announced a deal with one of the premier news service
> providers, Giganews, to supply almost all PIPEX broadband customers
> with world class access to Usenet News. Giganews currently offer
> unprecedented levels of retention and completion on both text and
> binaries. Completion is quoted as 99%+ while text retention is up to
> 420 days and binaries up to 50 days. Giganews claims are no idle
> boast, the service is that good. Most text groups do have well over a
> year of posts and even the biggest binary groups are around the 50 day
> mark.
>
> This level of service does come with a cost. To the average PIPEX user
> who just wants to use Usenet in a moderate way there will be no
> further financial cost, it is free, but there are limits. These take
> the form of connection and download limits, see the Settings section
> for more details. It is worth mentioning that the
> download limit, supplied to all users for free, Giganews usually
> charge $11.99 (about £7.00) for. For power Usenet users there are low
> cost options for extending those limits, again details below.
>
> What's happening to the UUNET news servers ... ?
>
> Very good question and not one easy to answer at this time. They will
> still be available for now but the new News Service is the primary one
> for broadband users. It will almost certainly be much less frustrating
> using the new service as I think everyone recognises that the UUNET
> servers have had problems for quite a while now. It is up to you
> though when and if you want to continue using them for now.
>
> -------------
>
> Looks like the thin edge of the wedge for you.
>
> Not sure of the date of the above, but looks like you (will) get 10 gb
> (per month) of news access for no charge, but every additional 5 gb
> will cost you 2 lbs. I would bet that will change over time - to the
> point that you'll have to pay for any level of news from Giganews.
>
> Also - looks like Pipex was using UUNET for news, and it seems you can
> still use it (if you want to "put up" with the problems Pipex says has
> been happening with UUNET).