Forum Archive Index - March 2000

["Ben Dutton" <bendutton@sharechat.co.nz>]

For those who are interested...

New Zealand's second largest Internet Service Provider (ISP), The Internet
Group, has taken a controlling interest in two Australian ISPs, adding
10,000 new subscribers to its Ihug customer base.

The acquisitions are part of The Internet Group's aggressive growth plan and
follow the announcement last month (February) of a proposed merger with
Force Corporation which will create a new company, Ihug Ltd.

Ihug Marketing Director Tim Wood said the initiatives would significantly
increase the company's Points of Presence (POPs) in the Australian market.

"Growth by acquisition is an important part of our long term strategy," he
said. "As the Internet market inevitably rationalises to a small number of
big players we believe it is critical that we continue to expand our reach
and accessibility."

The first acquisition involves One Earth, an ISP based in Wollongong on the
South Coast of New South Wales. One Earth currently has 4000 active
subscribers. Under the direction of Ihug it will expand its coverage area
from South Sydney to the Victorian border and Wagga Wagga. This increased
reach will give One Earth access to more than 500,000 additional consumers.

One Earth has seven employees, including web design and network specialists,
who will be an integral part of the company's stability and growth plans for
the region.

The second acquisition is Interweb, a South Australian company based in
Adelaide and Gawler. Interweb currently has over 5000 active subscribers and
a coverage area encompassing 1,000,000 potential new consumers in Adelaide.

Interweb will have four employees involved in driving continued growth in
the South Australian market.

Both ISPs will offer the full range of Ihug products including Satnet,
Ihug's high-speed satellite service into urban and rural markets.
Pre-selected or non-coded access toll services will also be added to their
product ranges.

Ihug Ltd is a New Zealand-based new media communications group which,
subject to approval of the merger by Force Corporation shareholders, will
focus on film, entertainment, internet access, e-commerce, telephony and
digital television.


Benjamin Dutton
(Disclosure - hold shares in FOR).


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