UK ISP Breathe Internet (Breathe Networks Limited) has taken users of several different FREE internet email (freemail) addresses (e.g. computerweekly.net) by surprise after it suddenly, and seemingly without any effective warning, locked them out of their accounts unless they agreed to pay an annual fee.

The first that many of those affected knew about this was when an email arrived telling them not to panic. The message informed that everything would be hunky dory, just so long as they were willing to cough up the pricey sum of £24.95 for the privilege of accessing their "free" accounts.


Computer Weekly doesn't actually offer an 0808 dialup or broadband internet access package, which only adds to the apparent confusion. The service itself, which has been running for many years now, was originally offered free of charge by Reed Business Information (RBI) for subscribers of Computer Weekly and is now managed by Breathe.

As a result several users have complained that they are effectively being "held to ransom" by Breathe, which appears to suggest that the only way to re-gain access is through the payment of an extra fee or by signing up to Breathe's own internet service. However the issue also appears to be affecting Breathe's own customers.


It's since emerged that an error was preventing certain emails from being linked to a Breathe account, which Rachel was eventually able to get resolved after spending £7.20 on a call to the ISPs absurdly expensive 60p per minute premium rate support line (0905 067 0033).

Sadly this will be of little comfort to all those who do not have a Breathe account and whom were using the email for free, much as it was originally intended. Breathe has since issued a statement to us and apologised to those experiencing problems.


Some people did receive a warning message two weeks ago, although most of the complaints we've received have been from those who had no warning whatsoever. Sadly it appears as though Breathe have no plans to help and the only way to access your mails will be to pay up. Mind you, it's not the first time email problems have blighted Breathe (here and here).