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.

Pivot Points for Thu 20/11/03

r2 66
r1 64
pp 62
s1 60
s2 58

Pivot Points for Fri 21/11/03

r2 65
r1 63
pp 61
s1 59
s2 67

News
21 November 2003

Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade Cuts Outbound Call Costs by 15% by Switching to Kingston

Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade has cut its outbound call costs by 15% by switching its voice traffic to Kingston Communications. In a move designed to reduce charges without compromising service, the Brigade switched to Kingston's carrier pre-select service (CPS) in March this year.Now analysis of its billing records show that the Brigade is achieving the savings originally predicted by Kingston Communications. "Some years ago we had used another supplier for least cost routing," says Paula Lermit Hill, Communications Officer at Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade, which serves a population of over 700,000 and attends 9,000 incidents a year. "While there were some reduced call charges, there was no customer service and no contact other than a monthly invoice. "By switching to Kingston, we have reduced call costs by 15% and been able to offset these savings against the high cost of line rentals charged by the incumbent operator. Another important factor in our decision to change to Kingston was that no special equipment had to be installed - it was all set up remotely."

With Kingston's CPS service, calls are carried over the telco's advanced national network without the need for access codes or on-site equipment. Customers have access to competitive call rates and services automatically, ensuring more efficient routing of calls and maximising call savings. All routing is conducted on the existing operator's network, so service provision is quick, easy and hassle-free.

"The attraction of Kingston's CPS scheme is that it does not change the way we operate," says Paula. "From a management point of view, however, it provides vital savings and allows us to budget adequately." Paula points out that during the last six months, Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade made 73,970 calls through Kingston registered lines and an additional 17,761 through those lines still with its previous supplier.

"This represents an increase of 30% on the previous quarter," she says. "Although earlier analysis of call charge data had shown costs were rising, the original supplier couldn't offer us any kind of reduced call charge package, which Kingston clearly could."

Paula says that in management terms, the Brigade needed itemised call billing and a monthly invoice that could be charged by cost centre. "With Kingston, we can still interrogate itemised billing data, whether online or by another medium. "The most important aspect, however, was a guarantee from Kingston that in the unlikely event of a system failure, the lines would revert to the incumbent operator until the failure was rectified. From a fire brigade point of view this is critical."

Paula is at pains to point out however that the service provided by Kingston has been exemplary. "We currently have 64 lines registered with them - mainly administration and fax lines. To date, there hasn't been a single fault or service issue with any of them. In fact, we hope to register more lines with Kingston in the near future as a direct result of the excellent service we have received so far. Kingston are professional, attentive and proactive," she says.

Thanks for the info LW and for popping out of the 'traders room'. Also I noted the spread on Kcom widening to approx 5p a short while ago can you help me in explaning this, other than that the MM's were short of stock?

The MM were short of stock, and the ones with stock refused (or where very slow to) to change their prices!

It happens all the time, not just with this stock but others. It's reason why I dislike using stop loss. I used to use stop loss to take profits in a falling market, but found too often they would kick in just because suddenly the spread got silly for the reason above!

Thank you LW your answer is most helpful and appreciated.

Pivot Points for Mon 24/11/03

r2 63
r1 62
pp 62
s1 61
s2 61

Share price above R2 - Looks like good results are expected tommorrow!

Havnt been home allday but managed to see teletext prices @ 65.5p at one time.I thought good! Yesterday I noticed an article on a BB about THUS advertising for staff in Leeds, could be an interesting development in THUS moving into KCOMS arena. Hope we are not dissapointed tommorrow.

Looking at the 'trades' 65.5p appears to have been due to wide spreads.

The length of the "candle" on the top chart is the spread. When it finally tightened I pick a few more for 62.66p - I must admit I like Limit buys & sells, as they often "catch" good prices, which are only available for seconds!

I wouldn't worry about THUS adv. for staff in KCOM areas - doesn't mean much. KCOM have a very large office in Hook, Hampshire - not exactly an area you'd expect to see them!

Thanks again LW, you are a mine of information and a great tutor!
Very much appreciated.

interims here, in line with expectations.

http://www.uk-wire.com/cgi-bin/articles/200311250700574456S.html

Pivot Points for Tue 25/11/03

r2 64
r1 63
pp 63
s1 62
s2 62

For 0910 the spread has dropped to less than 1% - with the offer price dropping as there is plenty of support for the bid price!

Good time to buy

LONDON (AFX) - Kingston Communications (Hull) PLC half year to September 30 2003

Sales - 162.89 mln stg vs 169.27

Pretax loss - 8.75 mln stg vs loss 10.27 mln

Group EBITDA before restructuring - 27.0 mln stg vs 21.49 mln

Group EBITDA - 23.14 mln stg vs 21.49 mln

Operating loss before restructuring - 3.0 mln stg vs loss 8.6 mln

Operating loss - 4.95 mln stg vs loss 5.70 mln

Loss per share - 2.30 pence vs LPS 1.76

Although I know that the sell & buy trades are misleading (every buy has a sell etc) but never more so than on KCOM!

Most AT trades on most shares are recorded as when the MM wants to buy a share (goes down as a sale - as its the bid price) & when they want to sell (goes down as a buy - as its the offer price) because of the prices.

But with KCOM I've just seen lots of small AT sells (the offer price) go down as sells - I suppose this is because by someone buying the shares the offer price automatically is recorded as the next highest amount for a offer which is a lot more than the bid price.

Interims in line with expectations? I think that long term holders ,as myself will have to be patient for some while longer. I note from the results that the Co. is cash flow positive and is 'expected to be so hereafter.' if the losses start reducing substantially shortly this must be a very positive point.

Pivot Points for Wed 26/11/03

r2 66
r1 64
pp 63
s1 62
s2 61

I managed to pick a few up yesterday @63.25p for short term profit. Already holding some in my long term portfolio, waiting for the day they start paying a dividend again!

Odd sort of day - the share price has really swung today. Auction currently happening

- I may be reading this wrong, but it looks like Buys are 211206 @64p & sells are 14754 @ 65p - if they are buying at 64p they want to sell higher than that!

I've also noticed on previous occasions that the buys have been higher than the sells for a number of trades. I just put that down to a glitch in the software, other wise it didn't make any sense to me. About dividends, when they start arriving again we will certainly on the uptrack, look forward to that!