Acquiring Skynet BT Grows Presence In UK Data Networking Market





UK,-/6 May, 2005 - Wi-Fi Technology Forum/-BT announced that it has acquired SkyNet Systems Limited (SkyNet) as part of its strategy to enhance its capabilities in the UK?s Local Area Networking (LAN) market.

Based near Oxford, SkyNet is an independent LAN solutions provider specialising in Internet Protocol (IP) communications, wireless networks, content delivery and network security focused on education, health, local government and media markets. The company employs 59 people and for the year ended 31 March 2005 had a turnover of ?21.7m generating an operating profit of ?1.5m. As at 31 March 2005 the company had net assets of ?2.2m.


?Over the past few years, BT has enjoyed fantastic success delivering solutions across a range of organisations, a fact recently confirmed by Cisco recognising BT as its EMEA Service Provider Partner of the Year,? said Tom Craig, Director, BT Convergent Solutions. ?Today?s announcement is part of our strategy to extend our capability and market coverage in key technologies such as IP telephony, wireless networking and security, and offer the benefits of the digital networked economy to every company in the UK. Our new subsidiary, BTSkyNet, will further enhance the range of IP communications solutions that we can offer to all of our customers and further raises BT?s profile as a LAN solutions provider.?


?This is a very exciting time for everyone at SkyNet. We have just been awarded Cisco?s UK Solutions Partner of the Year and our capabilities in IP telephony, wireless networking and security will be of enormous value to BT. We look forward to working with BT?s existing sales channels to grow our market coverage and leverage our mutual strengths,? said Dave Carrington, founder and managing director of SkyNet.

About BT: http://www.btplc.com