Dixons explores Freeserve sell-off

Dixons has made the first official moves to sell off its Freeserve ISP after appointing Credit Suisse First Boston and Cazenove & Co to examine its options. In a statement, the electronics group said it would "explore the strategic alternatives available to enable its Internet service provider Freeserve to realise its full potential and to optimise the value of Freeserve for Dixons shareholders". "The options include a potential initial public offering of a minority interest in Freeserve," it said. Freeserve has grown rapidly since its launch in September 1998 and now has more than one million subscribers making the UK's number one ISP. ®