Thus plc is a United Kingdom telecommunications operator, one of the alternatives to the former state monopoly BT.

History

Thus plc began life in 1994 as Scottish Telecom, an offshoot of the privatised energy company Scottish Power. In 1999, it was floated on the London Stock Exchange as Thus, with Scottish Power retaining a majority shareholding.

In 2002, Thus was demerged from Scottish Power in a deal which effectively wiped out the majority of the company's debts, placing the company on a sound financial footing. The demerger also led to the creation of Thus Group plc, a holding company which owns Thus plc. All shares held in Thus plc became shares held in Thus Group plc.

In 1998, Thus acquired Demon Internet.

Company information

Thus plc and Thus Group plc are both Scottish companies registered at Companies House in Edinburgh. Both companies have their registered office in Glasgow.

Activities

Thus is a supplier of telecoms and Internet services to businesses, and, through its Demon brand, supplies some services (most notably Internet services) to home users. Major customers include its former owner Scottish Power and Southern Water (which was also once a Scottish Power subsidiary), as well as Glasgow City Council, Capital Radio and Sky.

Until recently, Thus also provided call centres for businesses, but sold its call centre operation to Response Handling Ltd in August 2004.

As an alternative telco in the UK, Thus is often involved, either alone or in conjunction with other telcos, in complaints made to the UK regulator Ofcom about alleged monopolistic practices of BT.

External links

• Thus plc
• Demon Internet