Lineone for sale, two careful owners

Internet service provider Lineone has been put up for sale by its owners, BTOpenworld and United News & Media.

Putting an end to recent speculation, the companies finally revealed that they are seeking a new owner for Lineone, which has more than 1.4 million registered members.

BTOpenworld and United News & Media said in a statement that they are "proud of their joint venture's achievements to date" but both are refocusing their businesses, with the ISP no longer fitting with either firm's plans.

The companies said they believe that: "Lineone's continued growth and ambitious development intentions would be better served under a new owner."

Lineone hit the headlines earlier this year when it angered its customers by scrapping an unmetered internet access service with telco Quip after just four months.

The ISP, which will launch a revamped website at the beginning of December, has recently concentrated on establishing itself as a content-rich access provider aimed at busy 30 to 45 year-olds.

Lineone also lost its chief executive Andy Harwood last month, after he left join e-marketing startup eVerger.

Lineone was launched in 1997 as a joint venture between BT and News International. News International's stake was bought out by United News & Media in 1998. United News & Media is said to be concentrating on its role as a business media company.