Posted: 28th Oct, 2011 By: MarkJ


Communications provider
Entanet UK, which supplies a number of ISPs with BT-based internet access solutions, has unexpectedly entered into a new
strategic relationship with former rival
BE Wholesale ( Be Broadband ) to deploy unbundled ( LLU ) based 'up to' 24Mbps broadband services alongside its similar BT solutions.
The move should allow Entanet's partners (ISPs) to offer a greater diversity of broadband products, such as "
keenly priced and uncapped" services that would be harder to deliver via a BT-based platform.
Entanet’s General Manager, Elsa Chen, said:
"For a wholesale service provider like Entanet, that’s invested significantly in its UK infrastructure and introduced competitive BT-based connectivity products over the past few years, this step reflects a long-term strategic fit between the two businesses rather than a simple supplier aggregation relationship that we see everywhere in the market.
Entanet’s leading position in technology development continues to drive us to seek opportunities to provide innovative products to the channel. Both companies will be working together proactively, not only to increase share in the UK broadband market but also to introduce new communications products to partners’ benefit."
However there is a risk that others might choose to view Entanet's move as showing a loss of confidence in the competitiveness of their own BT-based solutions, which have in recent years come under mounting pressure from lower cost unbundled ( LLU ) rivals (e.g. Sky Broadband , O2 and TalkTalk etc.).
Head of BE Wholesale, Dan Cunliffe, said:
"Our product portfolio more than meets the needs of Entanet partners and we’re confident that the quality and reliability of our services and infrastructure will help strengthen their competitiveness.
At the same time, Entanet’s forward thinking approach to product development and expertise in channel support can only help to strengthen our own position in the market."
It's stated that the new service, which Entanet has recently been busy putting through various
ordering and provisioning trials, will be made available to its reseller partners "
imminently".