UK ISP Plusnet has published its latest financial results for the third quarter, highlighting strong broadband growth and a total subscriber base of 137,827 compared with 2004's 77,657. There's also word on future products.

Interestingly broadband traffic management is believed to have helped its profits:

Once again gross margin strengthened between the third quarter of 2004 and the third quarter of 2005 due largely to PlusNet’s efficient management of wholesale broadband network. PlusNet exploits industry-leading network management techniques through its unique low cost operating platform known as “Workplace” to control and optimise data traffic over the internet. PlusNet is able to identify, manage and sometimes exclude very heavy users who cause problems for other users by downloading large amounts of data and dominating the network. PlusNet is confident that its leading edge products combined with an effective approach to heavy user management mean that it enjoys lower customer churn than its competitors.

The provider also goes into its future 8 and 24Mbps broadband ADSL1/2 product plans:

As previously announced, PlusNet plans to launch higher speed broadband products in Q4 in certain areas of the UK, with wider roll-out planned for 2006. Trials have been announced with BT’s IPStream Max wholesale service, which will offer connection speeds up to 8Mb. PlusNet is also trialling Tiscali’s LLU wholesale service alongside the recently announced trial of Easynet’s LLUStream wholesale service. Both services will offer higher connection speeds in areas where Tiscali and Easynet offer unbundled local loop (LLU) services using ADSL2+ technologies. ADSL2+ will permit speeds up to 24Mb.. The Tiscali and Easynet trials are consistent with PlusNet’s stated strategy of leveraging third party networks efficiently.

Typically any service linked with the name Tiscali could strike fear into the hearts of a good many readers, although hopefully the network and support will remain under Plusnets control.