Amsterdam & Karlsruhe, March 12, 1998:
EUnet International, the leading European Internet service provider, announced
today that it has acquired a 50% stake in the German Internet service provider
Xlink Internet Service GmbH.
The transaction further strengthens EUnet International's extensive
geographical coverage into one of Europe's key Internet markets.
Leveraging the strengths of the two companies, the transaction brings
major advantages to customers requiring truly pan-European,
performance-driven Internet solutions.
Corporate customers require reliable, high quality Internet services for
their mission-critical information. The combination of EUnet
International's resilient backbone network and Xlink's nationwide German
network results in a complete service offering for German companies who
need to connect to overseas offices and EUnet International's customers who
need access to an extensive German network. Drawing on EUnet
International's resources will enable Xlink to not only have access to a
European backbone, but also to an international network of shared
experience and expertise to build further on its existing strength and high
profile in the German Market
Xlink Internet Service GmbH, created in January 1983 and formerly NTG
Netzwerk und Telematic GmbH, will continue to offer a complete range of
Internet services geared to German corporate customers. Michael Rotert,
Managing Director of Xlink Internet Service GmbH, said: "The EUnet
International, partnership will enable us to enhance our position in
Europe. Our goal is to pursue both the national and international access
business aggressively."
Wim Vink, Managing Director, EUnet International , commented: "The German
Internet market is key for us and is currently growing at around 9% per
month. Clearly this is a significant step forward in expanding our
coverage in Europe. We feel that together our experience, wide service
spectrum and reputation for quality across Europe can further enhance a
market which is quick to recognise the value of new technologies."
EUnet International B.V. purchased 50% of Xlink Internet Service GmbH from
Bull AG. The investment represents a second stage in the relationship
between the two companies following the signing of a joint sales and
marketing agreement in April 1997.
Gert Toes, Customer Service Director Central Europe, Bull AG added, "Bull
is a service provider with world-wide business activities; our Internet
strategy focuses on services, projects and products and less on Internet
access per se. Bringing EUnet International and Xlink Internet Service
GmbH together has allowed us to give our customers a very promising
international Internet future."
About EUnet
Established in 1982 and the first European provider of services for
business use, EUnet was instrumental in creating Europe's Internet
infrastructure. Today, EUnet International provides one-stop shopping for
corporate Internet access in Europe with a network of 42 countries and over
400 PoPs (Points of Presence). Via its transit-free backbone, EUnet
International offers the business community a wide range of turnkey
solutions from full-service, centrally-managed connectivity and Intranets
to mobile access, Webcasting, Web Storefront and Electronic Commerce
solutions.
http://www.EU.net
About Xlink
Xlink is one of the German leading Internet providers for commercial
Internet applications. The company offers clients full security services
for the Internet. In January 1998 Xlink became Internet Service GmbH and
Xlink Internet Consulting GmbH, two independent companies. The company
name changed from NTG Netzwerk und Telematic GmbH. Xlink Internet Service
GmbH has 30 employees and is exclusively responsible for Internet access.
The Consulting GmbH has 60 employees and offers project management
services, consulting services as well as security, electronic commerce,
multimedia solutions and virtual private networks. Xlink was established
in 1993 at the faculty for Computer Science in Karlsruhe. At that time, the
project was called LINK - Lokales Informatiknetz Karlsruhe.
http://www.xlink.net
About Bull
Bull is an international I.T. group based in Europe with 21,267 people and
operations in more than 85 countries. In 1997, Bull earned revenues of
$4.2 billion including over 65% outside of France, its country of origin.
Bull offers a wide range of systems, infrastructure software and I.T.
services, through focused innovation, alliances with the best partners and
its own integration expertise.
In its industry, Bull is recognized for innovative products such as Escala
servers, Sagister multiframes, CP8 smart cards and infrastructure software
such as ISM/OpenMaster for management of systems and networks. In I.T.
services, Bull is ranked in Europe as the third largest systems integrator
and fifth in maintenance and support services.
For more information contact:
Helen Miller,
Press Relations
EUnet International
Singel 540
1017 AZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Tel: +31 20 530 5333
Fax: +31 20 625 5913
Email: media@EU.net
http://www.EU.net/
