PlusNet racked up increased sales and profit last year as broadband users flocked to its service.

Publishing its prelims to the end of December, the Sheffield-based ISP reported that turnover was up 27 per cent to £35.2m compared to the year before. At the same time, operating profit before exceptional items increased by 69 per cent to £4.9m compared to 2004. Profit before tax was £4.5m, compared to £1.9m last year.

The ISP says BT's roll-out of 8 meg broadband across the UK from April, and the availability of higher connection speeds associated with local loop unbundling (LLU), will help "fuel PlusNet's customer growth in 2006".

"We expect the quality and value of our broadband products to drive continuing gains in market share," it said in a statement today.

And as consumers continue to demand more for less, PlusNet reckons the total spending on phone, broadband and content will continue to fall, something service providers will need to heed. ®

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• BT broadband punters must register for 8 meg upgrade (5 April 2006)
• Power cut hits Plusnet (30 March 2006)
• Plusnet inks LLU deal with Tiscali (24 March 2006)
• PlusNet dangles details of 8 meg regrade (15 March 2006)
• PlusNet launches probe after broadband downtime (8 March 2006)
• Zen snatches three gongs at ISPAs (24 February 2006)
• PlusNet swells broadband numbers (24 January 2006)
• PlusNet swallows Metronet (28 November 2005)
• Plusnet turns to Tiscali for LLU (11 November 2005)
• Broadband management buoys Plusnet (8 November 2005)
• PlusNet buys into LLU (14 October 2005)