Other operators today refused comment or would not say how telephone usage was affected by the strike. A similar protest in seven countries in February slowed Internet traffic by 95 percent. Many European phone companies charge customers by the minute, even for local calls, which can create high bills for Internet users.
Industry analysts say the high charges are putting the brakes on Internet development in Europe.
A recent report by Jupiter Communications linked low Internet usage with the high cost of local calls. Britain's Parliament is scheduled to debate the issue this month. AOL says it has more than 600,000 U.K. subscribers. BT also allows other providers to piggyback its system. Organizers of the 15-country protest told the BBC that most Internet service providers supported the strike against companies that levy charges by the minute.