Freeserve (inactive)

ISP

United Kingdom

Valid from 1998-09-22 · Valid to 2004-04-28

Organization: Any kind of organization. The Organization class represents a kind of Agent corresponding to social instititutions such as companies, societies etc.

About

UK free dial-up ISP launched by Dixons on 22 September 1998 over Planet Online/Energis infrastructure; among the largest UK ISPs by mid-2000 (~2M subscribers) and a BT Surftime unmetered launch partner. Rebranded Wanadoo UK plc on 28 April 2004 after France Télécom acquisition. (Source), (Source).

Operator Characteristics

Retail-only ISP?

Yes (1998-09-22 – 2004-04-28)
Retail dial-up ISP; no network ownership.

Business-only ISP?

No (1998-09-22 – 2004-04-28)

Altnet?

Yes (1998-09-22 – 2004-04-28)
Pioneer UK free dial-up ISP

Sells Over Networks

BT DSL — 2001-01-01 – 2004-04-28
ADSL retail over BT IPStream wholesale.
BT Surftime — 2000-06-01 – 2004-04-28
BT Surftime unmetered partner summer 2000.
Energis Dial-Up — 1998-09-22 – 2000-06-01
Launch dial via Planet Online/Energis backbone.

Corporate Relationships

← ownership: Dixons — 1998-09-22 – 2001-04-01
Dixons launched and owned Freeserve until sale to France Télécom's Wanadoo completed circa April 2001 (Source).
← ownership: France Telecom France — 2001-04-01 – 2004-04-28
France Télécom acquired Freeserve via Wanadoo; held until rebrand to Wanadoo UK (Source).

Consolidations

Consolidated into: Wanadoo UK — announced 2000-12-06; completed 2004-04-28 (merged, acquired, dissolved)
Freeserve rebranded to Wanadoo UK plc on 28 April 2004 following France Télécom/Wanadoo acquisition announced December 2000 (Source), (Source).