Daisy Group Limited (formerly known as Freedom4 Group plc and Pipex Communications plc) is a British company that sells Internet and
telecommunications
Telecommunication is the transmission of information by various types of technologies over wire, radio, optical, or other electromagnetic systems. It has its origin in the desire of humans for communication over a distance greater than that fe ...
services, including
internet hosting
An Internet hosting service is a service that runs servers connected to the Internet, allowing organizations and individuals to serve content or host services connected to the Internet.
A common kind of hosting is web hosting. Most hosting provi ...
, broadband Internet connections, and
VOIP
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), also called IP telephony, is a method and group of technologies for the delivery of voice communications and multimedia sessions over Internet Protocol (IP) networks, such as the Internet. The terms Internet t ...
.
History
The company traces back to the October 2003 acquisition of
Pipex
Pipex was the United Kingdom's first commercial Internet service provider (ISP). It was formed in 1990 and helped to develop the ISP market in the UK. In 1992 it began operating a 64k transatlantic leased line and built a connection to the UK go ...
by
GX Networks
Host Europe Group (formerly Pipex Communications plc and GX Networks) is an American-owned, European-located website hosting, email and domain name registrar company headquartered Hayes, West London. Founded as GX Networks in 1997, the company w ...
, to create Pipex Communications plc. The following month
Firstnet Services
Host Europe Group (formerly Pipex Communications plc and GX Networks) is an American-owned, European-located website hosting, email and domain name registrar company headquartered Hayes, West London. Founded as GX Networks in 1997, the company w ...
changed its name to PIPEX Communications Business Solutiod
AIM Listed Host Europe plc in April 2004.
Pipex acquired the business communications provider Nildram in August 2004.
In 2005, the company purchased Donhost and freedom2surf. and was named the 'Fastest Growing Technology Business in the UK' in the 2005 Sunday Times Tech Track
John Caudwell
John David Caudwell (born 7 October 1952) is a British billionaire businessman who founded the now defunct mobile phone retailer Phones 4u. He also invests in fashion, real estate and other industries, and chairs Caudwell Children, a children ...
sold Caudwell Communications UK Limited which traded as Homecall in March 2006. Homecall then began trading as Pipex Homecall.
In 2006 Pipex bought Supanetwork for £2.1 million in cash. This was followed by Toucan and the customer base of Bulldog Broadband.
In March 2007 the company appointed
UBS
UBS Group AG is a multinational Investment banking, investment bank and financial services company founded and based in Switzerland. Co-headquartered in the cities of Zürich and Basel, it maintains a presence in all major financial centres ...
to consider its strategic options, in regards to a possible sale of the company. Tiscali UK announced in July that year that it would purchase the Pipex voice and broadband division for £210 million. The sale completed in September. The remaining assets not sold to Tiscali UK were put up for sale at the same time.
The remaining Pipex assets were renamed as Freedom4 Communications plc in March 2008.
Freedom4 bought UK based WiFi roaming services provider BOZII and renamed the service FREEDOM4 WiFi. Freedom4 renamed itself Freedom4 Group in August 2008.
In July 2009, FREEDOM4 bought Daisy Communications (founded in 2001 in
Nelson
Nelson may refer to:
Arts and entertainment
* ''Nelson'' (1918 film), a historical film directed by Maurice Elvey
* ''Nelson'' (1926 film), a historical film directed by Walter Summers
* ''Nelson'' (opera), an opera by Lennox Berkeley to a lib ...
, Lancashire) in a reverse takeover. The two companies came together with Vialtus to become Daisy Group plc. In 2009 Daisy Group also floated on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market.
In February 2010, Daisy Group bought the entire issued share capital of Managed Communications, a provider of data networks, for a potential initial cash consideration of £6.3m.
In June 2010, Daisy Group sold its WiMax licensing business which was once part of its Freedom4 subsidiary to PCCW-owned UK Broadband. Daisy Group bought the entire issued share capital of murphx Innovative Solutions Limited, a wholesale connectivity and hosting carrier that was voted ISP of the Year in the Comms Business Awards 2009 for an initial cash consideration of £4.8m. The business became Daisy Wholesale.
In December 2010, Daisy Group bought controversial NHS GP phone system provider
Network Europe Group
Daisy Health (formerly Network Europe Group and Surgery Line) is a telecommunications company founded in 1992. It was acquired by Daisy Group in December 2010 for £23.5 million.
It supplies bespoke telephony solutions for GP’s and Dental Sur ...
(NEG) for £23.5m.
In 2011, Daisy Group acquired O-bit Telecom, which initially operated independently under the group, but subsequently became part of
Daisy Wholesale
Daisy Group Limited (formerly known as Freedom4 Group plc and Pipex Communications plc) is a British company that sells Internet and telecommunications services, including internet hosting, broadband Internet connections, and VOIP.
History
T ...
.
In January 2015, with a market value of £500m and 1,500 employees, Daisy became a private company.
Daisy acquired
Damovo
Damovo is a provider of information and communication technology services. The company, owned bGlobal Growth has a regional presence across Europe, the Americas and APAC, with a global support capability spanning over 150 countries.
History
Da ...
UK and Phoenix IT Group.
In December 2016, Daisy Group made its 50th acquisition by purchasing Alternative Networks plc for £184m.
In 2018, Daisy Group acquired Voice Mobile and DV02.
In 2019, Daisy Group separated into four independent businesses. These companies were rebranded and renamed as; Daisy Communications, Daisy Corporate Services, Aurora and Digital Wholesale Solutions
References
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External links
Official Daisy Comms website
Internet service providers of the United Kingdom
Companies based in Lancashire
Telecommunications companies established in 1991
1991 establishments in England