As U.S. subscribers attempt to take advantage of the company's free services, they have run into confusion.
AOL's initiative to start giving away its popular software (including email, search and messaging functions), while continuing to charge for various dial-up packages and customer service, is causing anger and confusion among its 17.7 million subscribers, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal.
As U.S. subscribers have started logging on to take advantage of the company's offer, they have run into confusion about how and when to switch to free service - and have been annoyed to find out they must do so by phone. And once on the phone, they're being sold new offer.
Despite the transition pains, AOL will continue its efforts to a new business model. It said would provide all members five gigabytes of free storage through Xdrive Inc., which it bought last year.
