Tessellis: Difference between revisions
Undid revision 294983636 by 92.20.153.253 (talk) - It makes no difference, it is still relevant to Tiscali's history |
Whilst the Tiscali brandname is still used in the UK, the information is still relevant to the UK. Tiscali UK is an integral part of Tiscali SpA's history anyway |
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'''Tiscali S.p.A.''' ({{ISE|IT0001453924|TIS}}) is a [[Europe]]an [[telecommunications]] company, based in [[Cagliari]], [[Italy]], and provides [[internet]] and [[telecommunications]] services to [[Italy]], |
'''Tiscali S.p.A.''' ({{ISE|IT0001453924|TIS}}) is a [[Europe]]an [[telecommunications]] company, based in [[Cagliari]], [[Italy]], and provides [[internet]] and [[telecommunications]] services predominately to [[Italy]], although it has previously had operations in many [[Europe|European]] nations. The company acquired many smaller European [[Internet Service Providers]] (ISPs) throughout the late 1990s, although in subsequent years many of those assets were sold on to other companies. |
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==Formation== |
==Formation== |
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===Television=== |
===Television=== |
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Tiscali SpA briefly operated an IPTV service in Italy, and under ownership of Tiscali UK Ltd, it also operated [[Tiscali TV (UK)|Tiscali TV]] in the United Kingdom. |
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In certain parts of the UK (generally large areas such as London, Manchester etc), Tiscali UK operates an [[IPTV]] television service, [[Tiscali TV (UK)|Tiscali TV]], previously known as [[Tiscali TV (UK)|Homechoice]]. Tiscali acquired the business in 2006 as a result of a merger with Homechoice's parent company, [[Tiscali#Video Networks Limited|Video Networks]]. Tiscali TV is a triple-play service offering telephone, IPTV and Internet access packages (''see below''). As a telephony, internet and television provider, Tiscali's proposition represents an example of [[telecommunication convergence]]. |
In certain parts of the UK (generally large areas such as London, Manchester etc), Tiscali UK operates an [[IPTV]] television service, [[Tiscali TV (UK)|Tiscali TV]], previously known as [[Tiscali TV (UK)|Homechoice]]. Tiscali acquired the business in 2006 as a result of a merger with Homechoice's parent company, [[Tiscali#Video Networks Limited|Video Networks]]. Tiscali TV is a triple-play service offering telephone, IPTV and Internet access packages (''see below''). As a telephony, internet and television provider, Tiscali's proposition represents an example of [[telecommunication convergence]]. |
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*On [[October 11]] 2006, Tiscali announced that it was to focus on the UK and Italy as its prime ISP targets, with plans to introduce new services to them including a [[mobile network]] operator and new IPTV products to the United Kingdom by its acquisition of [[Tiscali TV|Homechoice]] <ref>[http://www.telecom.paper.nl/news/article.aspx?id=144395&nr= Telecom Paper - Tiscali to focus on UK, Italy; plans net profit from 2008]</ref>. It is not known what will happen to its other remaining regional sub-companies. |
*On [[October 11]] 2006, Tiscali announced that it was to focus on the UK and Italy as its prime ISP targets, with plans to introduce new services to them including a [[mobile network]] operator and new IPTV products to the United Kingdom by its acquisition of [[Tiscali TV|Homechoice]] <ref>[http://www.telecom.paper.nl/news/article.aspx?id=144395&nr= Telecom Paper - Tiscali to focus on UK, Italy; plans net profit from 2008]</ref>. It is not known what will happen to its other remaining regional sub-companies. |
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*On [[December 31]] 2008, Tiscali shuts down its IPTV service in Italy<ref>[http://www.fierceiptv.com/story/tiscali-powers-down-iptv-service/2009-01-04 Tiscali powers down IPTV service]</ref>. |
*On [[December 31]] 2008, Tiscali shuts down its IPTV service in Italy<ref>[http://www.fierceiptv.com/story/tiscali-powers-down-iptv-service/2009-01-04 Tiscali powers down IPTV service]</ref>. |
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*In [[May 2009]], Tiscali sold its UK arm, Tiscali UK Ltd, to the [[Carphone Warehouse|Carphone Warehouse Group]], which also operates competing ISP's [[TalkTalk]] and [[AOL UK|AOL]]. |
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==Criticisms of Tiscali UK== |
==Criticisms of Tiscali UK== |
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Although no longer part of Tiscali SpA, the UK arm of Tiscali has been criticised heavily. |
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===Greatest Number of Complaints=== |
===Greatest Number of Complaints=== |
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==Recent acquisitions== |
==Recent acquisitions== |
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Tiscali UK made a number of acquisitions, which will now be assets of the Carphone Warehouse as part of the Tiscali UK group. |
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===Video Networks Limited=== |
===Video Networks Limited=== |
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On [[14 August]] [[2006]], Tiscali UK completed a [[merger]] with competing telecommunications provider, '''Video Networks Limited''' (VNL)<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.tiscali.com/our_news/press/10d178ea6ba.html Tiscali - Tiscali and Video Networks: integration in the UK market]</ref>. VNL operated the triple-play [[London]] [[mass media|media]] company, '''Homechoice''', which offered [[IPTV]], [[telephone]] packages and Internet access to users in the London area. It was later confirmed that the merged company was to drop the brandname "Homechoice" for "Tiscali", as it was nationally known name, whereas Homechoice only operates in London. Video Networks received an 11.5% stake of Tiscali UK, in exchange for Tiscali gaining 100% control of Home Choice.<ref>[http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1844893,00.html?gusrc=ticker-103704 MediaGuardian - Tiscali drops Home Choice branding (free subscription required)]</ref>. The merged company is estimated to have 1.3 million customers in the UK. <ref name=autogenerated1 /> On [[1 March]] [[2007]], the Homechoice name was replaced with [[Tiscali TV (UK)|Tiscali TV]], and expects to extend its network to reach 10 million homes in [[2008]]. Parts of Northern England and Scotland were added to Tiscali TV's coverage footprint in mid-2007.<ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cable/a42437/tiscali-tv-to-launch-march-1.html Digital Spy - Tiscali TV to launch March 1]</ref>. |
On [[14 August]] [[2006]], Tiscali UK completed a [[merger]] with competing telecommunications provider, '''Video Networks Limited''' (VNL)<ref name=autogenerated1>[http://www.tiscali.com/our_news/press/10d178ea6ba.html Tiscali - Tiscali and Video Networks: integration in the UK market]</ref>. VNL operated the triple-play [[London]] [[mass media|media]] company, '''Homechoice''', which offered [[IPTV]], [[telephone]] packages and Internet access to users in the London area. It was later confirmed that the merged company was to drop the brandname "Homechoice" for "Tiscali", as it was nationally known name, whereas Homechoice only operates in London. Video Networks received an 11.5% stake of Tiscali UK, in exchange for Tiscali gaining 100% control of Home Choice.<ref>[http://media.guardian.co.uk/site/story/0,,1844893,00.html?gusrc=ticker-103704 MediaGuardian - Tiscali drops Home Choice branding (free subscription required)]</ref>. The merged company is estimated to have 1.3 million customers in the UK. <ref name=autogenerated1 /> On [[1 March]] [[2007]], the Homechoice name was replaced with [[Tiscali TV (UK)|Tiscali TV]], and expects to extend its network to reach 10 million homes in [[2008]]. Parts of Northern England and Scotland were added to Tiscali TV's coverage footprint in mid-2007.<ref>[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cable/a42437/tiscali-tv-to-launch-march-1.html Digital Spy - Tiscali TV to launch March 1]</ref>. |
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Revision as of 14:06, 8 June 2009
| Company type | Public (BIT: TIS) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Communications and Media |
| Founded | January 1998 |
| Headquarters | Cagliari, Italy |
Key people | Vittorio Serafino (Chairman), Mario Rosso (CEO), Renato Soru (Founder) |
| Products | Communications |
| Revenue | €678,481,000 as of 2006 |
83,200,000 Euro (2018)  | |
Number of employees | 1,145 (2018) |
| Website | tiscali.com |
Tiscali S.p.A. (BIT: TIS) is a European telecommunications company, based in Cagliari, Italy, and provides internet and telecommunications services predominately to Italy, although it has previously had operations in many European nations. The company acquired many smaller European Internet Service Providers (ISPs) throughout the late 1990s, although in subsequent years many of those assets were sold on to other companies.
Formation
Tiscali was formed in 1998 when the Italian telecommunications market was deregulated. Its name is formed from a 2000 year old village situated in Sardinia[1]. The company's original priority was internet access, which enabled the company to expand quickly during the dot-com boom. The company acquired, in quick succession, World Online (The Netherlands), Liberty Surf (France) and LineOne (UK), instantly giving it market presence in those countries. This made it the third largest Internet Service Provider in Europe, with presence in most European countries. Its founder, Renato Soru, was governor of Sardinia from 2004 to 2009.
2009 debts
In March 2009, Tiscali asked banks to postpone the payment of interest of debts, because they failed to sell Tiscali UK to BSkyB. [2] In May 2009 the UK branch was sold off to the Carphone Warehouse and their TalkTalk brand.[3]
CEO
- 1998-2004 Renato Soru
- 2004-2005 Ruud Huisman
- 2005-2008 Tommaso Pompei
- 2008-2009 Mario Rosso
- 2009- Renato Soru
Products
Each of Tiscali's regional companies offer many services, which may include:
Internet access
Tiscali provides broadband internet access. In the United Kingdom, the company provides speeds of up to 16 Mbit/s speed broadband with limited and 'unlimited' download allowances[4]. Note that 'unlimited' is a product name for marketing purposes, and actual usage is restricted by "Fair Usage Policy"[5].
Telephone
In addition to ISP services, Tiscali offers telephone services.
Television
Tiscali SpA briefly operated an IPTV service in Italy, and under ownership of Tiscali UK Ltd, it also operated Tiscali TV in the United Kingdom.
In certain parts of the UK (generally large areas such as London, Manchester etc), Tiscali UK operates an IPTV television service, Tiscali TV, previously known as Homechoice. Tiscali acquired the business in 2006 as a result of a merger with Homechoice's parent company, Video Networks. Tiscali TV is a triple-play service offering telephone, IPTV and Internet access packages (see below). As a telephony, internet and television provider, Tiscali's proposition represents an example of telecommunication convergence.
Network services
Tiscali's Carrier Company, Tiscali International Network (Tinet), is a pure play carrier business delivering wholesale services such as Global IP Connectivity, MPLS lines, Voice over IP and Network Monitoring[6]. Since Aug 2007 TINET's IP/MPLS backbone counts 90 POPs and extends over 17 European countries and across the United States and Hong Kong. Its Autonomous Systems (AS3257) is a core ASN in the global Internet routing table, as well as the largest IPv6 backbone outside Asia.(source : CAIDA)
Tinet is no longer a part of Tiscali group, on 27th May 2009, Tinet was acquired by one of Italy’s largest private equity firms, BS Private Equity SpA. Tinet still ranks as the best connected IPv6 network worldwide and one of the top 10 services providers.
Web portal
Tiscali runs similar web portals for each of its countries, which include features such as webmail, reviews, news, videos, dating, chat, radio, TV guide, streaming TV channels and others.
Tiscali 10.0
Tiscali 10.0 was Tiscali's integrated self-branded web browser, which was distributed with its dial-up Internet packages. It was produced by UltraBrowser Inc, and used Microsoft's Internet Explorer Trident rendering engine to display web pages. Since Tiscali's corporate re-branding exercise in 2004, the software has not been included in broadband installation packs as it features Tiscali's original logo and design layout, and generally was designed for those with dial-up packages. Its version number was matched to that of UltraBrowser's most recent version of their own browser.
Sale of sub-companies
Starting in 2004, Tiscali sold off many of its regional sub-companies to native telecommunications operators in order to focus more on prime target areas.
- On 16 August 2004, Tiscali disposed of its Austrian branch, Tiscali Österreich GmbH, to Nextra Telecom GmbH.
- On 20 August 2004, Tiscali disposed of its South African branch, Tiscali (Pty), to MWEB Holdings (Pty) Ltd.
- On 23 August 2004, Tiscali disposed of its Norwegian branch, Tiscali AS, to Telenor Telecom Solutions AS
- On 30 August 2004, Tiscali disposed of its Swedish counterpart, Tiscali AB, to Spray Network AB, then a subsidiary of Lycos.
- On 16 September 2004, Tiscali disposed of its Swiss counterpart, Tiscali AG, reaching an agreement with Smart Telecom AG.
- On 19 October 2004, Tiscali sold its South African mobile telephone network, Tiscali Mobile, to Vodacom.
- On 29 November 2004, Tiscali disposed of its Belgian subsidiary, Tiscali N.V, reaching an agreement with Scarlet Belgie Holding B.V [7]
- On 1 February 2005, Tiscali sold its Danish company, Tiscali Denmark A/S, to Tele2 A/S.
- On 5 May 2005, Tiscali sold the French ISP, Liberty Surf to Telecom Italia [8]
- On 31 January 2007, Tiscali disposed of its German business to consumer activities to Freenet.de AG, at a sum of €30 million. [9]. It later sold its business to business transactions on 5 February 2007 to Ecotel Communication AG, with future intentions to leave the German market altogether [10].
- On 19 June 2007, Tiscali disposed of its Dutch branch, Tiscali BV, to Royal KPN NV [11]
- On October 11 2006, Tiscali announced that it was to focus on the UK and Italy as its prime ISP targets, with plans to introduce new services to them including a mobile network operator and new IPTV products to the United Kingdom by its acquisition of Homechoice [12]. It is not known what will happen to its other remaining regional sub-companies.
- On December 31 2008, Tiscali shuts down its IPTV service in Italy[13].
- In May 2009, Tiscali sold its UK arm, Tiscali UK Ltd, to the Carphone Warehouse Group, which also operates competing ISP's TalkTalk and AOL.
Criticisms of Tiscali UK
Although no longer part of Tiscali SpA, the UK arm of Tiscali has been criticised heavily.
Greatest Number of Complaints
The British website ISPreviewUK cites the UK arm of Tiscali as consistently receiving the greatest number of complaints each week, the most significant issue to users being very poor support. [14]
According to http://www.dslzoneuk.net which invites users to rate their broadband provider, Tiscali have a score of 4.38/10 (21/06/2008) which rates them 25th out of 29 ISPs
2007 UK email outage
In May 2007, spammers managed to send volumes of spam email from Tiscali's free webmail service.[15] This resulted in the blacklisting of emails sent to ISPs from Tiscali, due to the large number of spam being sent from the webmail addresses.[16] Tiscali responded by blocking the accounts of the spammers[16] and placed new hardware in place to prevent the problem recurring.[17]
However, Tiscali have stated that customers will not be compensated for the outage, because email is a free service as part of a customers Internet package.[18] UK Internet trade association, the Internet Service Providers Association has registered a higher number of complaints due to the outage and the issue has been referred to arbitration service, CISAS.[18]
Complaints to BBC Watchdog
The consumer rights programme Watchdog featured a number of complaints from people having their contract cancelled, as well as Tiscali refusing to repair problems to people's Telephone and Broadband lines.[19]
Recent acquisitions
Tiscali UK made a number of acquisitions, which will now be assets of the Carphone Warehouse as part of the Tiscali UK group.
Video Networks Limited
On 14 August 2006, Tiscali UK completed a merger with competing telecommunications provider, Video Networks Limited (VNL)[20]. VNL operated the triple-play London media company, Homechoice, which offered IPTV, telephone packages and Internet access to users in the London area. It was later confirmed that the merged company was to drop the brandname "Homechoice" for "Tiscali", as it was nationally known name, whereas Homechoice only operates in London. Video Networks received an 11.5% stake of Tiscali UK, in exchange for Tiscali gaining 100% control of Home Choice.[21]. The merged company is estimated to have 1.3 million customers in the UK. [20] On 1 March 2007, the Homechoice name was replaced with Tiscali TV, and expects to extend its network to reach 10 million homes in 2008. Parts of Northern England and Scotland were added to Tiscali TV's coverage footprint in mid-2007.[22].
Pipex
On 13 July 2007, Tiscali UK acquired the consumer broadband and voice businesses of the British competitor, Pipex Communications, at a sum of £210 million. Tiscali estimates that the deal increased its customer base in the UK up to 1.9 million. [23]
Since Tiscali began to migrate Pipex customers to their network there have been reports of major disruptions. Many customers have experienced disconnections from the Internet varying from a few minutes to many hours or days. [24]
Also, there are continuing reports of billing issues for migrating customers and there is a belief amongst some high usage Pipex customers that they are receiving a less than satisfactory service post-migration. [25]
See also
References
- ^ Tiscali - Our History
- ^ [1]
- ^ Carphone to purchase Tiscali UK
- ^ TISCALI BROADBAND | Is Tiscali Broadband Any Good?
- ^ Tiscali - Fair usage policy
- ^ Tiscali Network
- ^ Tiscali - 2004 milestones
- ^ Tiscali - 2005 milestones
- ^ Tiscali - Disposal of B2C activities in Germany
- ^ Tiscali - Disposal of B2B activities in Germany
- ^ Tiscali disposes of Netherlands branch
- ^ Telecom Paper - Tiscali to focus on UK, Italy; plans net profit from 2008
- ^ Tiscali powers down IPTV service
- ^ ISP Review - Reader ISP Complaints
- ^ Meyer, David (2007-05-30). "Tiscali scrambles to tackle spam". ZDNet. Retrieved 2007-06-02.
- ^ a b "Tiscali e-mail 'hit' by spammers". BBC News. 2007-05-30. Retrieved 2007-06-02.
- ^ Williams, Ian (2007-06-01). "Tiscali blames spammers for email outage". Computing. Retrieved 2007-06-02.
- ^ a b Williams, Chris (2007-06-01). "Tiscali locks down contracts after email disaster". The Register. Retrieved 2007-06-02.
- ^ BBC - Tough times for Tiscali customers - Watchdog - Blog Zoe Behagg. BBC. 30 March 2009
- ^ a b Tiscali - Tiscali and Video Networks: integration in the UK market
- ^ MediaGuardian - Tiscali drops Home Choice branding (free subscription required)
- ^ Digital Spy - Tiscali TV to launch March 1
- ^ Tiscali - Tiscali to acquire Pipex Broadband (not for distribution in the United States)
- ^ http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/28/tiscali_pipex_migrations/
- ^ Pipex & Tiscali Problems :: All about why we have Pipex Problems. (And now Tiscali ones.)