Cable & Wireless (C&W), the UK and international telecoms carrier, appears to be eyeing up a partial return to the Internet provision market after officially confirming an interest in THUS Group (Demon Internet).

The operator, which sold its Bulldog retail broadband customer base to Pipex (now Tiscali) in 2006, has reportedly already put in a bid for its rival, which has seen share prices jump by 19% since the approach.

THUS currently employs over 1,700 staff and recently posted its first operating profits for the year ending 31st March 2008. However, the operator has told shareholders that it intends to remain independent and to take no further action at this time.

It remains to be seen whether this is merely the usual bargaining ploy to gain a higher price or an honest response of intent, though it's probably a little of both.