... worth noting August 6th 2003

net1

:: Telco carrier Thus is launching a new private access DSL service designed to provide ISPs with an alternative to BT's wholesale broadband offering. The new service will be available to customers based within 3.5km of any ADSL-enabled exchange across the UK, and Thus plans to target both business customers directly, and ISPs wanting to offer the service to their customers.

:: Web site operator e-maleorder.com, which operates gay lifestyle Web site befrank.co.uk has told shareholders it's entering voluntary liquidation after running out of cash, despite an 'extensive' search for further investment. The voluntary liquidation will protect both the befrank.co.uk Web site and a pending claim against law firm Irwin Mitchell, which 'could result in a significant damages claim', according to e-maleorder.

:: Iridium Satellite, a provider of satellite phone services, has added text messaging to its expanding range of satellite phone services. For now, Iridium's tens of thousands of subscribers will be limited to swapping messages with fellow Iridium customers. By next month, however, users of the company's SMS service will be able to trade text messages with any number of US mobile phone subscribers.

:: Telewest has announced the launch of a wireless broadband self-installation pack, which will offer UK consumers access to its high-speed blueyonder Internet service from anywhere in their home. The new wireless pack can provide a 512kbps, 1Mbps, or 2Mbps Internet connection for one device, such as a PC, laptop or games console, anywhere within the house. In addition, customers with a laptop can get roaming broadband access around the house or in the garden, as long as it is within 250m of the property. The pack costs £35 and combines a pre-configured Netgear access point with the cable modem already embedded in its digital TV set-top box.

:: Travel Web site lastminute.com, has announced that it's still on track to make its first profit after the busy summer holiday season. The company reported core earnings of £4.1m, compared with a loss of £1.9m a year earlier and losses of £1.7m in the previous quarter.