Back in 1999 in Germany, Internet connections were usually metered, using dial-up with a modem (or later, DSL adapter). Software usually did not connect to the Internet unless the user specifically requested it – automated lookups for updates were not common for example, since each dial-up would cost the user. So this was a kind of post-AOL-CD and post-Compuserve, but pre-flatrate situation in Germany.
In same of the rare local networks that already existed back then, Internet connections were established using a centralized router that dialed up automatically when requests where made. Dr. Kolla was an expert on networks back then (ranging as far back ashaving set up one of the first 20 MB (yes, that’s no typo) NAS), and maintained a local Novell Netware network with such a router for Internet access for his company.
Used to the old modem days where downloading a driver update from a BBS in the US with 8k modems, where efficiency was key to avoid having to pay more than 20 $ for a download, Patrick was optimizing the rare downloads using a download manager, which happened to have one of the first kinds of adware integrated (Aureate, Radiate and Cydoor). This download manager was downloading and displaying ads even when no downloads were running, causing repeated connections.
Each connection was around 23 Pfennige (12 Euro cents), so one ad an hour during working hours could some up to 40 € per month just for a single software.