BT has combined its local area networking companies BT Skynet and BT TNS into a new venture dubbed BT iNet. 

BT iNet has been operating since June and specialises in Lan, IP telephony, wireless networking, managed services and security.

Dave Carrington, former managing director of BT SkyNet, has been appointed managing director of BT iNet.

Mike Harris, who was managing director at BT TNS, moves to BT Global Services to join the team responsible for managing BT's $1bn global relationship with Cisco Systems. 

"The launch of iNet is a major milestone in BT's long-term strategy to be the leading provider of IP-based network services in the UK," said Tom Craig, president of IP networking at BT Global Services.

BT iNet combines the strengths of BT SkyNet and BT TNS in the UK Lan market with BT's experience in wide-area networking, according to Craig.

The integration of the two companies was timed to allow both entities to complete their respective financial years.