LONDON -- BT today announced that it has acquired Total Network Solutions Limited (TNS) aspart of its strategy to enhance its capabilities in the UK's Local AreaNetworking (LAN) and convergent solutions markets. The acquisition enables BT,Cisco's Global Managed Service Provider of the Year for 2004, to build on itsposition as the leading provider of Networked IT Services.

TNS has been providing innovative business solutions to UK corporate, publicsector and service provider customers for over 14 years. Based in Oswestry inShropshire, the company employs 92 people and had revenues for the year ending31 December 2004 of £13.9 million. The company had gross assets as at 31December 2004 of £9.1 million.

"Today's announcement marks the next step in our strategy to grow our capabilityand market coverage in key convergence technologies such as LAN, IP telephony,wireless networking and security, and extends BT's leadership position in theLAN services market," said Tom Craig, President, IP Networking, BT GlobalServices. "TNS further enhances the range of solutions that BT can provide toits customers, enabling them to thrive in the digital networked economy."Together with BT's acquisition of SkyNet Systems Limited in May 2005, TNSincreases BT's exposure to the rapidly growing business market for integratedIP-based communications solutions. BT is well positioned to provide businesscustomers with all their managed support and core network integration serviceneeds.

"The coupling of TNS with BT's existing IP networking portfolio, distributionchannels and recognised brand creates tremendous opportunities for our clients,employees and partners," said Mike Harris, founder and Managing Director of TNS."TNS is a client-focussed growth engine that will help drive BT's success in thedigital networked economy age."

BT Group plc