1994
BT Prestel service ends
British Telecom's original Prestel service comes to an end after almost 15 years. The service had begun as the UK's pioneering public videotex system, providing information, messaging, banking, shopping, travel and other services through telephone lines.
Prestel had already been withdrawn from the residential market in 1991 as BT concentrated on business users. By early 1994, however, BT decided that the remaining service was no longer commercially viable.
At the end of March 1994, the original BT-operated Prestel service ceased to exist. From 1 April 1994, a consortium took over the remaining subscribers, hardware and information pages and relaunched the service as New Prestel.
Prestel had already been withdrawn from the residential market in 1991 as BT concentrated on business users. By early 1994, however, BT decided that the remaining service was no longer commercially viable.
At the end of March 1994, the original BT-operated Prestel service ceased to exist. From 1 April 1994, a consortium took over the remaining subscribers, hardware and information pages and relaunched the service as New Prestel.