Why sub to AOL's high speed internet service?

[ManyHats]

Maybe I misunderstand this, but I got the impression from an ad I received that in order to sub to AOL's high speed internet service, you have to have DSL or cable internet already available. So wouldn't you be paying twice, once to your current high speed ISP, and once to AOL? So what is the point of that? Or did I misunderstand how that works?

[Socks]

I think you misunderstood. Their high speed service is just like any other DSL from my understanding. You pay the rate to get the service. However, they've just gone FREE for their original service if you have your own access. If you just like AOL for some reason (great email, games, chat rooms, etc.), and you have another internet provider like a cable connection or DSL from another service, you can get AOL through a BYOA plan for FREE.

[Squeeker]

You have to have high speed internet in order to subscribe to their high speed internet just doesn't make sense. You had to have misunderstood. Probably something like Socks said. I remember them offering a plan for people that had their own access, but it was real cheap, like $15 or so I think. When did they make it free?