Microsoft Wednesday said it has abandoned its "iLoo" proposal to put Internet access in portable public toilets, ending two weeks of speculation over whether the idea would actually come to fruition.

The idea of equipping public toilets at festivals with plasma flat panel screens and high-speed Internet access was flushed down the toilet, a U.K. spokeswoman said, after the company decided it wasn't the best idea.

The project was "basically a tongue and cheek" campaign meant to follow up similar Microsoft initiatives such as "MSN park bench" where the public was offered free 'Net access from an Internet-enabled bench as part of a marketing campaign, the spokeswoman said.

However, from the first reports of the iLoo concept, speculation swirled as to whether the idea was real or a hoax, with some Microsoft representatives reportedly claiming it was a belated April Fool's prank.

The confusion was due to the fact that the concept was leaked before the program was finalized, the spokeswoman said, and the iLoo idea has since been tossed out.

"We regret that the press release was distributed before the program was finalized and apologize for any confusion that has resulted," Microsoft said in a statement.

It appears that for now public toilet-goers will have to stick to browsing the graffiti on the walls.

The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate.