Pipex may choose buyer soon

Pipex is reportedly close to choosing a buyer for its web-hosting and business-services divisions.

The telecoms company sold off its broadband and phone divisions to Tiscali last year. It also spun off its wireless division, which has since rebranded as Freedom4. Pipex still owns part of Freedom4, which is currently one of the main companies trying to push the long-range wireless technology WiMax into the UK market. Freedom4's other owner is Intel.

According to an article in the Financial Times on Wednesday, Pipex is now poised to make a decision about who will win an auction for its remaining web-hosting and business-services divisions.

Three bidders are reportedly being seriously considered: Oakley Capital, a private-equity group set up by Pipex founder Peter Dubens; the telecommunications firm Thus Group; and the German company United Internet.

Pipex did not respond to a request for comment on the Financial Times report.