Energis
| File:Logo pink.png | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunication |
| Founded | Template:Date and age |
| Defunct | 11 November 2005 |
| Fate | Acquired by Cable & Wireless |
| Headquarters | Reading, Berkshire Leeds, West Yorkshire |
Key people |
|
| Products | Various, including IPLC |
| Revenue | Increase£361 million (2006) |
| Website | Template:Web archive |
Energis Communications Limited, originally known as Telecom Electric, was a telecommunications firm operating within the United Kingdom and Ireland. Formerly part of the FTSE 100 Index, the company entered into administration before being absorbed by Cable & Wireless, which was subsequently acquired by Vodafone.
History
Established in July 1991 under the name Telecom Electric following a demerger from the United Kingdom's National Grid Company, Energis built a nationwide optical fibre network, partially utilizing the overhead power transmission lines of the grid. It became publicly traded on both the London Stock Exchange and NASDAQ in October 1997.
Energis grew through multiple acquisitions across the UK and Europe, including companies such as Planet Online and ISION AG. At its peak, its market value surpassed £10 billion, placing it among the top companies by capitalization. However, substantial borrowing to finance these acquisitions resulted in financial difficulties.
As a subsidiary of Energis, Planet Online provided internet connectivity and email services that supported the launch of the Freeserve ISP, while Energis itself supplied telephony infrastructure.
Following the telecommunications market downturn in 2001, Energis plc entered administration in July 2002. Its UK operations were transferred to Energis Communications Ltd, a fully owned subsidiary managed under a new bank-controlled holding firm named Chelys. Archie Norman was appointed chairman to oversee the restructuring process.
In November 2002, ISION's assets were divested to NDO, while Planet Online and other remaining operations remained under Energis Communications Ltd until August 2005. At that time, Cable & Wireless proposed a £594 million acquisition offer for Energis.
The majority of debt holders approved this offer, leading to Energis becoming part of Cable & Wireless on 11 November 2005.
Operations
In its later stages, Energis specialized in services including ISP provision, transmission, IP networking (operating a Nortel SDH infrastructure with Internet connectivity facilitated by Cisco routers employing MPLS), contact centre solutions, and conventional voice telephony.
Notable corporate clients comprised:
- Fujitsu Services, managing outsourced branch and central network services for Post Office Ltd.
- The BBC, utilizing Energis for distribution of television and radio content.
- Support for helpline numbers operated by The AA and RAC.
- An ATM-based network enabling editorial to printing workflows for Trinity Mirror.
- Network infrastructure supporting the UK ISP offering from Wanadoo.
Senior management
Throughout its history, Energis was overseen by a series of chief executives:
- March 1993 – December 1995: David Dey
- December 1995 – August 2001: Mike Grabiner
- August 2001 – July 2002: David Wickham
- July 2002 – November 2005: John Pluthero