Kingston Communications is an established UK communications company. The Group's national business-to-business capabilities encompass the provision of fully integrated and managed network solutions, complemented by the delivery of voice, data and call handling services in the towns and cities served by the Kingston Communications network. This infrastructure comprises twenty-five metropolitan fibre networks and a long distance broadband network, which was initiated for service in May 2001. Kingston's new media activities include the DSL-based interactive television service, KIT, and satellite broadband content, storage and distribution arm, Kingston inmedia. The Group's East Yorkshire network operation has served business and residential customers since 1904.

A company has just won a contract for a 361m hospitals project in North Staffordshire. The 37 year concession also includes a Managed Equipment Service for the provision of medical equipment, including PACS, provided by Siemens Medical Solutions and voice and data services, to be provided by Affiniti, a Kingston Communications business.

On its own will not make much difference to the company (Kingston) but always nice when a gained contract attracts news.

A decent 1,000,000 plus buy after hours.

CSR was a much better buy, though granted not the same sector!

Kingston Communications Plc jumped 1.75 pence, or 2.4 percent, to 76 after Cazenove raised its recommendation on the U.K. telephone company to outperform, from in-line.'

The implied operating free cashflow yield of 8.4 percent would still look attractive in the context of growing private equity and infrastructure focused investments,'' the brokerage wrote in a research note.

Looks like the market does not like the warning from KC re the statement, "The recent turbulence in financial services has created some uncertainty going forward, and its focus in the second half will be on maintaining tight operational control across the business". And who can blame them, although I think the sp drop is well over done.

glad (interested would be less provocative) to see my warnings back in the spring that KCOM was a poor choice of investment have been proven right

So nice to hear that cynic, I am sure many will be pleased to read your comment.

i don't post to please

Aviva PLC have increased their holdings by 18,317,520 to 34,282,876 almost doubling amount previously held. They now hold 6.65% of the company.
Even at a price of 71p (date of purchase) 18 million shares is big money, even allowing for a decent discount.
Not going to mention a possible takeover round the corner, but can't see any other reason as KC appeared to be well out of favor with the market.
Aviva could obviously have just bought at what they consider a bargain price and for no other reason.

From The Hull Daily Mail 26/10.07.

Kingston Communications customers are set to see national call charges double at weekends under a new pricing structure.

From November 1, people will be charged the same for making daytime UK calls on a Saturday and Sunday as they would on a weekday.

The new prices are most likely to hit families catching up with relatives who live in other parts of the country.

From looking at many on line comments, customers are not happy re the changes.

Not wishing to get the rumor mill going again, but I cant help reading between the lines, wondering if KC are attempting to level conditions re possible takeovers.

The KC price structuring has always been at odds to most fixed line providers. Perhaps they feel that if their price structuring becomes more in line with the larger providers, it might make takeovers easier.
I will be watching out for further leveling of charges.
The above is just a personal view.
Comments welcome

Legal and General upping their holdings by 3,562,821. Always nice to see.

And yet again fuel to the take over mill.

The Sunday Telegraph.
Cable & Wireless executive chairman John Pluthero has now fuelled speculation by speaking of the need to consolidate smaller operators. Buy KCOM at 49p while the shares look cheap.

gosh, are they only 50p now? ..... wonder why i was taken to task when i said the company/shares were rubbish back in September and earlier still when they were 70/75?

went long friday ahead of tuesdays result...nice guaranteed tight stop loss just in case

also went long on thus

Nice to see a director buying (10,000) worth. Makes a change from the usual couple of quid buys we often see.
Also Kingston Communications unit Affiniti has deployed a fast Ethernet metropolitan area network for British Airway's Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport.
I would think they won this against stiff competition, as it would be a prime contract as far as publicity goes.
Note.... Can't give further detail as released only on subscriber account, Telecom Paper (subscription).

Prestigous contract Greekman:

Testing, testing 1, 2, 3: British Airways communications network at Terminal 5 is given clearance for take off...
IP communications network deployment by Affiniti completes final testing phase ready for Terminal 5 opening in March 2008

When British Airways (BA) opens the doors to the sleek, futuristic new Terminal 5 at Heathrow in two months time, passengers and staff will enjoy a stress-free ride through its flagship new terminal building thanks to a super fast, seamless communications network. The Fast Ethernet Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) designed, deployed and managed by BAs long term communications partner Affiniti, has now passed final, rigorous testing. Up to 3,000 volunteers acted as passengers with baggage, passing through the various stages of check-in, baggage drop and boarding. The network is now ready for go live on 27th March 2008 the date T5 opens for business.

A secure, high-speed, reliable network is fundamental to the hectic pace of life at an airport terminal. BAs new network will carry the majority of BA's T5 business systems including all mission-critical information. Information ranges from passenger check-in, ticketing and departure control for the estimated 30 million passengers per year, plus crew scheduling and other back-office systems. The network has 7,000 available ports supporting the 5,000 BA staff using the systems, across the current two terminal buildings T5A and T5B. T5C will be constructed by 2010.

This 18 month project, began in August 2006 and concludes in February 2008. It has required a dedicated team from Affiniti to meet the scale and stringent deadlines that come with the territory of working on one of the largest and highest profile engineering ventures in Europe. In February 2008 Affiniti will complete the final deployment phase, the installation of the Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPSs). The network is currently being tested for resilience and compatibility with all other T5 systems, thus ensuring that when BA moves its entire Heathrow operation - currently split between Compass Centre, Terminals 1 and 4 - to T5 in March, it is prepared for take-off with no technical glitches.

The BA relocation to T5 involves much more than just a greenfield network installation. Behind the scenes Affiniti and BA have been working closely to ensure that it remains business as usual whilst BA manages the huge task of moving home.

Phil Hawker, Manager of Communications Networks from BA commented "Moving into our new home at Heathrow is a great opportunity to optimize the technology that lies behind our operation here. We've made sure that everything were doing has been well proven in the existing terminals, but bringing it all together in a fantastic new building will ensure a great experience for our passengers and staff. Affiniti has done a great job, working with our in-house team and BAA, to install and commission the network in time for live operation and Im pleased to say that its passed its assurance testing with flying colours."

Paul Renucci, Managing Director at Affiniti commented: "Although 27th March 2008 is the date everyone is talking about, the network will really come into its own once those first passengers have passed through T5 and given it their seal of approval. For BA we have designed a world-class network from scratch that will offer secure, high-speed communications as standard. Over time, it will also deliver business efficiency and can easily be adapted in response to future needs."

BA is one of Affiniti's largest clients and the pair has worked together since the millennium on network upgrade and management projects at Heathrow and Gatwick. Initially Affiniti was selected for a five year contract to migrate and manage 30 thousand user ports in 70 buildings from an ATM to an Ethernet environment. Since then, based on results, team chemistry and competitive pricing, Affiniti has continued to win business with BA.

In 2003 Affiniti won the managed services contract for all 30 of BA's UK regional sites including Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh. Then latterly was awarded the MAN managed service contract for T5. Affiniti has 49 staff based on site at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports supporting the BA network infrastructure UK wide.

Optomistic,

Thanks for the full details.

Regards Greek

why do you continue to piss against the wind?

Nice little contract, although will be better when we see some figures.

Telephonetics PLC said it has signed a three year deal with Kcom Group PLC to support cinema line call traffic.