Access Providers gets Online 2000

Online will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary and retain all its staff, according to a statement from AP. The company's existing products -- which consist of ADSL, dial-up and ISDN access and a wide range of Internet-related services -- will continue to be marketed and supported. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

However, AP flagged its intention to "transition customers onto its wireless broadband network" and offer them its Voice over Internet Protocol over wireless broadband solution when it is launched in late July.

AP chief executive Keith Ondarchie made it clear his company was also looking at further acquisitions this year, and "intends to target ISPs that have a strong business customer base and quality applications and products that will add value to its wireless broadband network".

Australian-owned Online was established in 1999 and bills itself as having great customer service, with a "no busy signal" policy on its support phone lines.