Australia's free Internet Service Provider Global Freeway is rumoured to have been reduced to rubble on Monday, with the Web site down and staff told not to come back the following day.
A message has been posted on the site saying, "Global Freeway is currently experiencing major network difficulties."
One source - which preferred to remain anonymous - told ZDNet Australia, staff had been told to leave the company on Monday and severance pay had not yet been issued.
According to the source, the ISP has lost over AU$60 million in a 6-month period.
The source also claimed Global Freeway's problems stem from a AU$50 million debt owed to telecommunications provider, Global One.
In a company statement, Global One confirms it terminated network services to Global Freeway on 3 March 2001, which were used to support Globalfreeway's Internet and email product offerings.
Furthermore, Global One is owed an undisclosed sum from Global Freeway for the provision of these services.
"It was only after exhausting all other reasonable avenues to resolve the matter that we decided to take this step," a Global One spokesperson said.
"While Global One has no legal obligation to do so, we have advised Global Freeway that we will continue to provide their customers with limited email access at no charge until 14 March 2001, and Global One reserves all of its rights to take action against Globalfreeway."
A Global Freeway spokesperson was not available for comment.
Global Freeway has been suffering technical problems since September 2000, which has left 70,000 regional and rural customers without access to the ISP.
Global Freeway is the last free Internet Service Provider in Australia. Its collapse would effect over 210,000 subscribers across the country.
I am really angry about GlobalFreeway closing down!
I am going to be one of 70000 people outside the "Eastern Seaboard" without a free ISP. with other free companies like GoConnect only caring for the Easterners, Perth and Regional people in other states will never have a chance to access free internet (Other than FreeOnLine and TPG Niterider).
FreeOnLine would be the only choice for these people in Adelaide and Perth, as well as TPG (after 10pm - 5am WST)
With Internet plans going up, People will not have a chance to go on the Internet. Shame on GlobalFreeway and I wish that one company will give free internet to all people in Australia, NOT JUST THE EASTERNERS!!