Pipex shares are down almost two per cent today, but enjoyed a big rally last week. The company has a market cap of £335m and claims over half a million broadband customers.

Independent ISPs are struggling to compete with the big brands like Virgin, Sky, and the various mobile companies who offer a bundle of services.

With mobile and cable operators chasing each other to add strings to their triple or quadruple-play strategies, there should be no shortage of bidders. Several companies have upset customers by buying into the broadband market without an adequate technology partner.