NetServices snaps up Telefónica UK

Broadband buy-out

Telefónica UK - the UK division of the giant spanish telco - has been sold to Manchester-based NetServices.

An email to Telefónica customers seen by El Reg says that the deal was completed last Friday although financial details were not released.

"This move, which is part of our [NetServices's] business development plans, means that all contracts with Telefónica UK are now the responsibility of NetServices Plc," aid the email.

Customers have been assured that it will be business as usual and that staff will be retained to "maintain continuity in the supply relationship".

No one from Telefónica was available for comment at the time of writing while a spokesman for NetServices could not be reached immediately.

However, industry sources have told The Register this is unlikely to be the last acquisition to be made by NetServices as it looks to grow its business.

In December Telefónica UK stopped providing wholesale narrowband services to ISPs because of dwindling demand from end users. Instead, the telco said it would focus on the provision of broadband services to ISPs and the corporate marketplace. ®

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