[May 26] – Broadband communications firm Austar has announced the acquisition of
Townsville-based Internet Service Provider (ISP) Ultranet for an
undisclosed sum.
Austar expects the move to increase its capacity to offer a full range
of communications services, turning towards the corporate and
small-to-medium enterprise markets.
The Queensland ISP Ultranet has around 5000 of these subscribers and
also provides connectivity, hosting and consultancy services.
The announcement coincides with the Townsville launch of Austar’s two
Internet services – austarnet, a dial-up Internet service for families and
Internet newcomers and the high-speed chello broadband service.
Austar United broadband managing director Dana Strong said the
acquisition was part of Austar’s development into a fully convergent media
company.
“This is all part of our strategy to develop our bundle of services so
that we can offer customers choices, no matter what their technology needs
are,” said Strong.
Strong said while Ultranet customers would be keen to take up the chello
broadband service, they would also benefit from the opportunity to acquire
other Austar services such as pay TV on a bundled basis.
“Bringing a strong regionally-based company like Ultranet into the
Austar fold gives a real boost to our position as a player in the ISP
market,” Strong said.
The deal continues Austar’s push for regional subscribers, following the
purchase of Gold Coast ISP ‘On the Net’ in mid-March, which delivered
Austar another 6,000 subscribers.
