Given the recent Ofcom/BT agreement and the number of ISP's subscribing to LLUStream, EasyNet's wholesale LLU product, it's hardly surprising that the operator has today announced further investment.

Easynet plans to extend its presence in the country by up to an additional 100 exchanges, taking the total to 350, and in the process seeking to reach 5.8 million homes and 850,000 businesses.

Shares in the company were up 3.36 percent at 77 pence by 0900 BST, giving it a market value of around 92.5 million pounds.

Rowe said Easynet had seen strong progress in its plans to develop its UK Online consumer broadband product and its LLUStream wholesale product.

The consumer product had built to around 10,000 customers by mid-June since its launch in April 2005. It also expects to offer speeds of up to 24Mbps in the second half of 2005.