Mix-up forces NI and BT to rename joint Web venture

The joint Internet venture between News International and BT has been forced to change its name because a company already uses it.

The service, which was to be named Springboard, will now be called LineOne.

Directors say that there was no legal action over the mix-up and the new name was chosen more than four weeks ago.

A company spokesman says the holding company will still be called Springboard Internet Services.

The service will include all of the News International UK newspaper titles, as well as content from Sky News and Sky Sports, plus entertainment and listings information.

The scheme, which has been tested over several weeks by 2,000 users across the UK, will launch on March 12.

It is expected to be offered free for the first month as a promotional deal. Afterwards, it will charge a monthly subscription, understood to be 9.99.

The spokesman claims LineOne will be the most user-friendly system in Britain.