UPC acquires Bitbuzz for €6m

UPC has further strengthened its product offering with the acquisition of Ireland’s leading WiFi operator, Bitbuzz.

The diversified communications giant — which is also set to launch its own mobile phone service, using the 3 Ireland network, late next year — is understood to be paying between €5m and €6m for Bitbuzz, which also has operations in the UK. There has been much speculation in recent weeks about a deal being in the offering, but UPC only confirmed the transaction yesterday.

“This is a first step in our plans to expand UPC’s services in the business market, by adding value-added services that complement our high speed broadband services,” said Gavan Smyth, UPC’s vice-president of business services, yesterday.