BT shops for IT consultants

BT is to acquire International Network Services (INS) - a California-based company of IT consultants - to bolster its expansion into North America.

INS, which employs around 900 staff, designs and installs networks for larger businesses. It claims to have won contracts with three-quarters of the Fortune 500.

Andy Green, chief executive officer of BT Global Services, said: "The INS business is another great services acquisition for us. It significantly boosts our ability to supply world-class professional services to US-headquartered corporations and increases BT's presence in the key North-American market."

The move follows BT's purchase 15 months ago of TNS - another services company that builds local area networks.

Richard Thurston writes for ZDNet UK