Freedom4 Communications

Infobox Company
company_name = FREEDOM4 Group plc
company_

company_type = Public limited company
foundation = 1991
location = London, England, UK
key_people = Peter Dubens Chairman, Mike Read CEO, Stewart Porter CFO
industry = Internet Service Provider
products = Broadband services
revenue = £ 133,000,000 GBP (2006)
num_employees = 574
homepage = [http://www.freedom4group.com/] [http://www.freedom4.com/] [http://www.freedom4wifi.com/]

FREEDOM4 Group plc (formerly known as Pipex Communications plc) is a British company that sells Internet and telecommunications services, including hosting, broadband Internet connections, and VOIP.

Business areas

FREEDOM4 has become a Wireless ISP which provides wireless broadband services using WiMAX, WiFi and 3G

Company history

In October 2003 PIPEX was purchased by GX Networks plc, for £55 million. GX Networks plc renamed itself to Pipex Communications plc to preserve the brand.

On 13 September 2007 the Company completed the Broadband Disposal. As part of that sale, Tiscali UK Limited acquired the Company’s trade marks in the name "Pipex" and granted the Company a licence to allow the Company to continue to use the name "Pipex" for certain purposes until the expiry of the licence on 13 March 2008.

2008 saw Pipex rebranded to FREEDOM4.

Timeline

*2003 October - PIPEX acquired by GX Networks plc, retains Pipex name, calling itself "PIPEX Communications plc". [ [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/10/03/gx_networks_to_buy_pipex/ GX buys Pipex - theregister.co.uk 2003-10-03] ] [ [http://www.pipexgroup.com/pg.asp?p=1163 Home Page ] ]
*2003 November - Firstnet Services Limited changes it's name to "PIPEX Communications Business Solutions Limited". [ [http://www.pipexgroup.com/components/download.asp?id=11 Home Page ] ]
*2003 December - The Company transferred "PIPEX Networks Limited" (at that time "PIPEX Internet Limited") to"PIPEX Internet Limited" (at that time Zipcom Telecommunications Limited)
*2004 January - "PIPEX Internet Limited" changes its name to "PIPEX Networks Limited".
*2004 January - "Zipcom Telecommunications Limited" changes its name to "PIPEX Internet Limited".Note: At this point "The company" directly holds: PIPEX Internet Limited, Transigent Limited and Firstnet Services Limited.
*2004 April - AIM Listed Host Europe Plc (Magic-Moments, WebFusion, Dedicated Servers and 123-reg) is acquired by Pipex. [ [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/04/02/pipex_acquires_host_europe/ Pipex buys Host Europe - theregister.co.uk 2004-04-02] ]
*2004 August - Nildram is acquired by Pipex. [ [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/09/pipex_nildram/ Pipex buys Nildram - theregister.co.uk 2004-08-09] ]
*2005 April - Donhost is acquired by Pipex. [ [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/28/donhost_pipex/ Pipex buys Donhost - theregister.co.uk 2005-04-28] ]
*2005 October - freedom2surf is acquired by Pipex. [ [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/18/pipex_f2s/ Pipex buys Freedom2Surf - theregister.co.uk 2005-10-18] ]
*2006 March - Pipex buys Caudwell Communications UK Limited (trading as Homecall, now rebranded to Pipex Homecall) including "Switch2" [ [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/03/23/pipex_caudwell/ Pipex buys Homecall - theregister.co.uk 2006-03-23] ]
*2006 August - Pipex buys Supanetwork Limited (trading as Supanames) for £2.1 million in cash [ [http://www.sjberwin.com/events/news/practice/sj_berwin_llp_advises_on_acquisition_of_supanetwork_limited/2006_07_20.html Pipex buys Supanetwork Limited (Supanames.co.uk) for £2.1 Million] ]
*2006 September - Pipex buys Toucan [ [http://www.toucan.com/about/ Pipex buys Toucan] ]
*2006 September - Pipex buys the customer base of Bulldog Broadband [ [http://www.bulldoglounge.com/announcement.asp Pipex buys Bulldog - www.bulldoglounge.com 2006-07-09] ]
*2007 March - Pipex appoints UBS to investigate its strategic options, which could include a sale of the Company. [ [http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/telecoms/article1503309.ece Pipex puts itself up for sale - Times Online ] ] [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/03/12/pipex_for_sale/]
*2007 July - Tiscali announces it will acquire the Pipex Broadband and Voice division for £210 million [ [http://investors.tiscali.com/tiscali/FinancialPress/disclaimer2.jsp?ref=538&cat=9&sub=&type=html Tiscali to acquire Pipex broadband and voice division for GBP 210 million with new financing package - tiscali.com 2007-07-13] ] [ [http://www.oft.gov.uk/advice_and_resources/resource_base/Mergers_home/decisions/2007/Tiscali The Office of Fair Trading: Anticipated acquisition by Tiscali UK Holdings Limited of the Broadband and Voice Division of Pipex Communications plc ] ]
*2007 September - Tiscali completes acquisition of all consumer broadband and voice businesses from Pipex. [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/07/13/tiscali_buys_pipex/] Note: The Pipex Broadband and Voice division contains the following subsidiaries: Pipex Internet Limited, Pipex Homecall Limited, Toucan Residential Limited, Toucan Residential Ireland Limited, Switch2 Telecoms Limited, Bulldog Broadband, Freedom to Surf Limited, Freedom to Surf Registration Services Limited, Freedom to Surf Consumer Services Limited, AccentUK Limited, Nildram Limited, Trinite Limited, Trinite Services Limited, Pipex Broadband Limited, HighwayOne Limited, Pipex Networks Limited, Pipex Communications Services Limited, GX Networks Twelve Limited, Homecall (UK) Limited and Homecall Payment Services Limited.
*2007 September - The Pipex internet brand now exists as Pipex Internet Limited, a Tiscali UK company.
*2007 September - Pipex seeks buyer for remaining assets. [ [http://news.independent.co.uk/business/news/article2998984.ece Pipex seeks buyer for remaining assets after £8.5m interim loss - Business News, Business - Independent.co.uk ] ] Note: Remaining assets include FREEDOM4 (previous Pipex Wireless), Pipex Business, donhost, Gokei, Host Europe, WebFusion, and 123-reg.
*2007 October - Tiscali/Pipex Job losses. [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/10/30/tiscali_pipex_redundancies/]
*2008 February - Pipex Business rebrands as Vialtus. [http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/02/01/pipex_business_rebranding/]
*2008 March - Pipex Communications plc is now known as FREEDOM4 Communications plc [ [http://www.londonstockexchange.com/LSECWS/IFSPages/MarketNewsPopup.aspx?id=1726729&source=RNS Market News ] ]
*2008 March - Due to Pipex Broadband being sold to Tiscali last year, the company known as Pipex Communications Ltd is now known as GX Networks Ltd. [ [http://www.techwatch.co.uk/2008/03/05/pipex-renamed-gx-networks/ Pipex renamed GX Networks ] ]
*2008 May - FREEDOM4 Communications plc has bought UK based WiFi roaming services provider BOZII. BOZII's service — soon to be renamed [http://www.freedom4wifi.com] FREEDOM4 WiFi — is Europe's largest based aggregator and will give FREEDOM4's customers access to over 40,000 hotspots in the UK and internationally [ [http://news.zdnet.co.uk/communications/0,1000000085,39420735,00.htm FREEDOM4 Communications plc Buys WiFi Roaming Firm] ]
*2008 August - FREEDOM4 Communications plc is now known as FREEDOM4 Group plc [ [http://investing.businessweek.com/businessweek/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=1691879 FREEDOM4 Communications plc has Changed its Name to FREEDOM4 Group plc] ]
*2008 October - FREEDOM4 has launched a new 'Mobile Broadband 1000' service, which combines a wireless connection with special software to select the highest quality 3G Mobile Broadband or Wi-Fi connection at any given location. [ [http://www.ispreview.co.uk/news/EkkkAVkVuFhMvSoRHi.html FREEDOM4 FREEDOM4 Launch 3G + WiFi Mobile Broadband Service] ]

External links

* [http://www.freedom4.com/ Official site]
* [http://www.freedom4group.com/ Official group site]
* [http://www.freedom4.com/ Official FREEDOM4 WiMax site]
* [http://www.freedom4wifi.com/ Official FREEDOM4 WiFi site]

Notes