BELFAST telecommunications firm Connect has continued its aggressive growth strategy with a third major acquisition in less than a month.
And its take-over of the Vodafone mobile base of GCI, one of Britain’s leading managed service providers, puts Connect at the very top table of the sector in the UK with more than 45,000 connections.
The GCO deal comes after Connect snapped up the Aberdeen-based Vodafone partner Coltel in a multi-million-pound deal last month, while at the same time purchased Nortech in Carlisle for a smaller undisclosed sum.
Again, no price has been revealed for this latest transaction, which was led by Connect's founder and chief executive Scott Ritchie (41).
“This deal with GCI’s Vodafone base is much more than an acquisition,” Ritchie said.
“Our customers will now benefit from a partnership between Connect and GCI, as we’ve committed to a Skype for Business platform from GCI to support our growing unified communications requirements across our base.
“This enables us to deliver a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leading Unified Communications service to our customers, and at the same time optimised support for our traditional Vodafone customers with the Vodafone suite of services - including One Net."
He added: “Connect has always provided its customers with pioneering mobility services, in essence a road-map to utilise the latest technologies, unifying their business communications. This deal is a win-win that has our customers firmly at the centre.”
Adrian Thirkill, chief executive of London-headquartered GCI, said: “This is a hugely positive step for both Connect Telecom and ourselves.
"There are some simple drivers behind our decision. Fundamentally it’s about enabling GCI to focus its energies around what we can be really great at, and that’s all about managed services.
“That’s good for us, good for Connect Telecom, and most importantly it is great news for our respective customer bases who will benefit from best-in-class mobility services.”
Connect’s recent acquisitions now give it a presence right across the UK, with offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow, Carlisle, Manchester and now an expanded office and operation in London.
MTB Solicitors acted on behalf of Connect Telecoms in the purchase.
