Opting for pop-ups

Would you be willing to accept showers of pop-up ads if it made your internet connection cheaper? Telecomms firm Nortel Networks of Brampton, Ontario, hopes so (WO 03/077167). The idea is that an ISP intercepts every request for a page that you send out. A server at the ISP then automatically adds pop-up adverts to the web pages it returns. The ads can be tailored to fit your age, sex and interests. The idea is that the advertiser pays the ISP, says Nortel, and the ISP uses the revenue to reduce your subscription charges.