Kent-based Nine Telecom Group has bought a 100 per cent stake in Dataflow Communications for an undisclosed amount.

Kent-based Nine Telecom Group has bought a 100 per cent stake in Dataflow Communications for an undisclosed amount.

According to a statement the acquisition is aimed at replacing the Billie billing platform which Nine Telecom acquired through the purchase of Club Communications in 2009.

Nine Telecom, a subsidiary of Nine Telecom Group, provides technologies for telecoms customers such as business mobile, VoIP and outbound call recording while Dataflow Communications provides managed billing services to communications providers.

James Palmer, chief executive officer of Nine Telecom, comments: ‘The [Billie] platform was not capable of being developed to provide some of the functionality we now see as important for the future of the independent reseller.

Palmer says Nine Telecom had two options: start from the beginning and build a new service, or find a product in the marketplace to acquire.

He adds: ‘Having reviewed the marketplace over the last 12 months, we believe that with Dataflow, and in particular their web-based Cascade billing service, we have found the right platform for our resellers.’

Under the terms of the deal all existing Dataflow staff will stay with the business at its base in Somerset.

Fran Edwards, former owner of Dataflow, says: ‘I believe I have found the perfect acquisition partner for Dataflow, in the Nine Telecom Group.

‘Dataflow’s future and growth is assured, allowing it to continue to provide the same quality service to its clients, retain all of its staff and focus on the development of the Cascade WEB billing system, but now with the backing and support of a much larger and very successful group.’

Nine Telecom Comprises of three divisions: Nine Telecom Group, Nine Wholesale and Shipton Communications.