Pan-European fibre-optic telco - Interoute - has purchased a number of key assets of KPNQwest's Ebone network.

Under the terms of the agreement Interoute gains full ownership and control of metropolitan area networks (MANs) in eight major European cities including Paris, Frankfurt, Madrid, Zurich, London, Vienna, Milan and Amsterdam.

The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Said James Kinsella, executive chairman, Interoute: "Acquiring Ebone's assets not only provides us with an opportunity to accelerate our strategy of deepening our network presence and connectivity in key European cities, but also enhances our ability to provide value added network services and solutions.

"It also allows us to continue to support customers still using the Ebone network infrastructure," he said.

Elsewhere, Internet and telecommunications outfit, Jippii Group Corporation, has acquired the business operations of KPNQwest Finland.

The newly expanded operation will create a new unit within the group called Eunet Finland and will focus on providing services for corporate customers. ®