Extel Information Technology, the Kings Langley, Hertfordshire-based division of United Newspapers Plc, has taken the logical step of extending its existing nationwide infrastructure of nodes – presently used, among other things, to relay information to BBC Sport and bookmakers across the country – to provide an integrated voice and data managed network service targeted towards a variety of financial, business and consultancy uses. With the ExtelNet wide area network, which uses both British Telecommunications Plc and Mercury lines, Extel claims to offer a one stop shopping service ranging from network design, support and maintenance, to a guarantee of information delivery: that is, if information delivery breaks down, clients get their money back. Research carried out by Extel predicts a $250m UK X25 market up to 1992, with the overwhelming majority of revenue – Extel puts it at $190m coming from private networks. Extel reckons the experience of running its own information network and its value-added reselling agreements, such as a deal with Telematics International to supply its Smartnet and Net 25 products, put the firm in a strong position to offer the one-stop service it intends, even in a multi-vendor environment. As a reseller of network time, Extel stress the cost reductions possible for customers, who will be paying for network time only when they actually use it: for example, a typical retailer, with a host site in London and various regional offices, running a network at a speed of 9,600 bits per second, would pay UKP18,700 with British Telecom and UKP9,000 with the Extel packet switching service. Extel, which is also looking at the possibilities of Electronic Data Interchange with particular reference to Europe – support in this area has been forthcoming from the Deutsche Bundespost and France Telecom – is ready to offer the Extelnet network now, after a year of development. Announcements concerning future clients are expected shortly.
