LONDON -- Interoute, owner and operator of Europe's most advanced and densely connected network, today announces that it has acquired Central European network operator Central European Communications Holdings BV (CECOM) and its operating subsidiaries in Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Poland and Romania from Zephyr Communications Inc., a US corporation, to meet the customer needs generated as a result of an expanding European Union.

Commenting on the purchase, James Kinsella, Interoute's Executive Chairman said, "This acquisition is a result of a solid and aggressive plan we are deeply committed to - extending our network where and when it makes the most economic sense, ahead of our competitors. Our expansion into Central Europe is testament to this commitment and is only the start of a period of intense growth and expansion for Interoute."

With extensive network assets across Central Europe, CECOM provides complimentary services that will easily fit with the existing Interoute portfolio. Existing shared Points of Presence in Austria and Germany will enable swift and easy integration of both networks and enable seamless service delivery almost immediately.

With Points of Presence in Frankfurt, Leipzig, Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Pilsen, Brno, Ostrava, Bratislava, Budapest, Oradea, Bucharest, Bielsko Biala and Warsaw, this acquisition adds an additional 11 new cities to Interoute's Pan-European network.

Interoute Telecommunications

Central European Communications Holdings BV (Cecom)