Suffolk ISP nabs BB users

Suffolk-based ISP Fast24 has snaffled up the broadband customer base of another Suffolk ISP, Central Point.

It's not known how many ADSL punters are to be transferred to Fast24 or, indeed, how much the ISP shelled out for the extra customers.

Instead, Jason Elsom of Fast24 said in a statement that the ISP could be on the hunt for similar deals.

"With an increasingly competitive market we have decided to look at a number of similar acquisitions to help us keep apace," he said.

For Central Point, it seems scale is everything, as it blamed "market pressures particularly those from BT" for giving smaller ISPs "a rough ride".

No one from Fast24 or Central Point was available for comment at the time of writing.

Elsewhere, Manchester-based networking company NetServices Plc has confirmed its acquisition of Telefónica UK Ltd.

Yesterday, El Reg reported that Telefónica UK - the UK division of the giant spanish telco - has been sold to Manchester-based NetServices.

Confirming the deal the company said: "This acquisition adds significantly to the client base of NetServices in areas of broadband and IP VPN network services for the SME, corporate and ISP markets."

Telefónica UK is expected to add around £20m to NetServices' annual turnover over the next fifteen months.

Said boss Mark Vickers: "The acquisition of Telefónica UK supports the ongoing NetServices growth strategy. Over the next few months we expect to acquire additional companies that will increase our user base both at home and abroad as well as enable the delivery of new technologies." ®

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