Energis, Freeserve's infrastructure supplier, has picked some major business with AOL UK, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Matt Peacock, AOL's communications director, declined to discuss the deal with the paper, but confirmed the company is "conducting a major build-out of our network, which includes new suppliers".

Freeserve has already given notice to quit for the metered telecom service provided by Energis. This currently accounts for 65 per cent of Freeserve's revenues, but the mass-market is shifting - ever so slowly - to unmetered flat-fee products. Freeserve represents 10 per cent of Energis' turnover.

And after November 2003? It was always on the cards that Energis will lose Wanadoo; the AOL contract will help the company weather any storm. ®