Online gaming finally becomes affordable

British Telecom have just announced BT Surftime, a selection of fixed Internet pricing packages set to revolutionise the way we use the web. Gone are the days of staring at your watch, sweating, while you wait for the latest Quake III demo to download at 7K a second.

The various pricing packages are as follows:

Weekend Internet Option - £6.99 per month for unlimited weekend access. On weekdays you'll be charged 1p per minute after 18:00 and 2p per minute during the day.

Evening and night-time Internet Option - £6.99 per month for unlimited access during the evening and night-time, Monday to Friday. At weekends you'll have to pay just 1p per minute and 2p per minute on weekdays.

Daytime Internet Option - £26.99 per month gets you unlimited access during the day, Monday to Friday. All other times are charged at 1p per minute.

Anytime Internet Option - £34.99 per month grants you unlimited Internet access at all times. Multiplayer heaven, especially if you're unemployed!

'Pay-as-you-go' Internet Option - Internet calls will be charged at 1p per minute evenings, night-time and weekends, and 2p per minute during weekdays.

Never again will you have to cut short a game of Tiberian Sun against a smug American 'free phone call' foe. Say goodbye to those gigantic phone bills. Online gaming has finally got the chance to bloom in the UK. Let the games begin!