BT iNet began operating as a single entity from June 2006, offering specialist LAN, IP telephony (IPT), wireless networking, managed services and security services to corporate and government organisations throughout the UK.
“The launch of BT iNet is a major milestone in BT’s long-term strategy to be the leading provider of IP-based network services in the UK,” said Tom Craig, president, IP Networking, BT Global Services. “BT iNet combines the strengths of BT SkyNet and BT TNS – their strong positions in the UK LAN market, flexible business models, specialist expertise and unique solutions – with BT’s heritage in wide-area networking and world-class IP infrastructure.”
Dave Carrington, former managing director of BT SkyNet, has been appointed managing director of BT iNet and will be responsible for overseeing the company’s revenue growth and alignment with BT’s other distribution channels. Mike Harris, former managing director of BT TNS, will move to BT Global Services to join the team responsible for managing BT’s US$1 billion global relationship with Cisco Systems.
“The merger of two of the UK’s leading network solutions providers and tighter integration with BT’s existing IP networking portfolio and distribution channels creates a very compelling proposition for customers,” said Dave Carrington. “BT customers will benefit from having access to our unique approach to delivering innovative and tailored networking solutions, while existing BT SkyNet and BT TNS customers will gain access to the wider BT portfolio and capabilities without any disruption to the high quality services they have come to expect.”
The launch of BT iNet follows a number of months of collaboration on contracts between the two companies and with other BT channels. The integration was timed to allow both companies to complete their respective financial years, and align the new entity with BT’s financial year, which runs from April through to March.