Internet Provider Bigger.com Closes Down

Less than two years after the splashy debut of Bigger.com, which promised lifetime Internet access for $59, the company has shut down, leaving 40,000 customers and more than $1.5 million in debts. The Internet service provider fell far short of its goal of becoming a national operation with 200,000 subscribers. It filed for bankruptcy protection last December, was taken over by new management but never recovered, and eventually sought Chapter 7 bankruptcy liquidation Oct. 9. Service stopped several days ago. The new company promised unlimited Internet access for a onetime fee of $59, with an additional $10 per year for e-mail.