Information from a reputable source inside Fry's leads to an interesting new twist in the Fry's business model - Dialup Internet service.

According to an inside source, Fry's is working on an array of ISP services to be added to the list of other 'services' they offer. (Some of the other services Fry's offers include PC repair, product delivery, and customer fleecing.)

Details of the plan are sketchy at this time, but it's understood by my source that there will be a free service side, providing access to the 'net in exchange for being blasted with annoying banner ads (a-la NetZero), as well as a pay-for-use side that follows the traditional monthly model. Although not mentioned, it would go without saying (maybe that's why it wasn't mentioned?) that they'll also provide other basic services, such as web and email hosting.

So who's providing Fry's with their Internet access? Probably Earthlink. Fry's has had a working relationship with Earthlink for some time; ever since 'Internet-In-A-Mall' disappeared.

Even though they don't even have their own web site operational, one can't help but wonder if Fry's might be making a larger shift toward the Internet than is seen on the surface. With increasing competition from online vendors and rumors of financial losses, perhaps they'll be taking the Egghead route and closing up shop in the physical world. Maintaining all those stores and paying all those pesky employees is expensive, and we all know how much Fry's hates spending money on all that insignificant stuff.

Of course, what actually happens remains to be seen, but if they continue their current level of customer service into this new online venture, one thing's for certain - when the service goes down, nobody's going to answer the tech support line.

S.