Reply #3: Microsoft ends free Hotmail access from Outlook

[RC]

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/28/hotmail_from_outlook_fees/

Microsoft ends free Hotmail access from Outlook

Hotmail users who use Microsoft's Outlook and Outlook Express clients will now have to pay for the privilege. Users must sign up to either a Hotmail Plus account for $19.95 a year or an MSN Premium account, at $99.95 a year to continue accessing the service from their desktop client.

Microsoft cited abuse by spammers as the reason. Because its email clients are scriptable, Microsoft had been grappling with spammers who automated the sign-up and bulk sending processes. Rivals such as Yahoo! also charge a premium for POP3 access to their email services.