Pacnet#Pacific Internet

In 1999, Global Crossing, Microsoft and Softbank started Asia Global Crossing as a venture to build a US$2 billion cable system,{{cite news|title=Asia Netcom sold|url=http://www.itwire.com/it-industry-news/deals/4533-asia-netcom-sold|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=iTWire|date=5 June 2006}} East Asia Crossing (EAC), to connect key Asian markets. In 2000, Asia Global Crossing was listed on NASDAQ,{{cite news|title=Asia Global Crossing Prices IPO Well Below Target|url=https://www.forbes.com/2000/10/06/1006asia.html|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=Forbes|date=6 October 2000}} before its listing was moved to NYSE{{cite news|title=Asia Global Crossing to move to the NYSE|url=http://www.telecompaper.com/news/asia-global-crossing-to-move-to-the-nyse|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=Telecompaper|date=20 June 2001}} in 2001.

Following the dotcom crash, Asia Global Crossing filed for bankruptcy protection in 2002,{{cite news|title=Asia Global Crossing Files for Bankruptcy|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-nov-18-fi-asia18-story.html|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=18 November 2002}} and was subsequently delisted from NYSE.{{cite news |title=Global Crossing Unit's Woes Grow |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-mar-01-fi-global1-story.html |access-date=28 February 2012 |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=1 March 2002}} To raise additional funding to continue operations, the company sold its assets to a consortium led by China Netcom, Newbridge Capital and Softbank Asia Infrastructure Fund for US$120 million, forming Asia Netcom.{{cite news |title=Netcom to buy Asia Global Crossing |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-netcom-group-to-buy-asia-global-crossing |access-date=28 February 2012 |newspaper=MarketWatch |date=18 November 2002}}

In late 2003, China Netcom acquired 100 percent of Asia Netcom, and the wholly owned subsidiary became part of the China Netcom's public listing on NYSE and SEHK in 2004.{{cite news |title=China Netcom buys full control of Asia Netcom |url=http://www.totaltele.com/view.aspx?ID=377627 |access-date=28 February 2012 |agency=Reuters|date=12 February 2004}}

In 2006, China Netcom sold Asia Netcom to Connect Holdings Limited, an investor group consisting of Ashmore Investment Management Limited, Spinnaker Capital Limited and Clearwater Capital Partners, for US$402 million.{{cite news |title=China Netcom Six-Month Profit Falls on Competition |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=afolLq_wIFt8&refer=china |access-date=28 February 2012 |newspaper=Bloomberg |date=23 August 2006}}

In 2007, Asia Netcom's EAC merged with C2C, another submarine cable network owned by Connect Holdings, to form a 36,800 km submarine cable network, EAC-C2C.{{cite news |title=Asia Netcom, C2C become one |url=http://www.zdnetasia.com/asia-netcom-c2c-become-one-62032188.htm |access-date=28 February 2012 |newspaper=ZDNet Asia |date=13 September 2007 |archive-date=27 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110127034800/http://www.zdnetasia.com/asia-netcom-c2c-become-one-62032188.htm |url-status=dead }}

File:Pacific Internet logo.png

In 1989, TechNet was started as a research and development computer network for use by academia at the National University of Singapore. Funded by the National Science and Technology Board of Singapore (NSTB), it became Singapore's first Internet Service Provider. In 1995, it was acquired by SembMedia, a division of Singapore conglomerate Sembawang Group, and renamed Pacific Internet Corporation Private Limited. In September the same year, Pacific Internet began its commercial operations in Singapore.

In 1996, Pacific Internet expanded into Hong Kong via an acquisition,{{cite news|title=PacNet Steps Up Regional Branding With Hong Kong ISP|url=http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/80261/PacNet+Steps+Up+Regional+Branding+With+Hong+Kong+ISP.htm|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=InternetNews.com|date=15 March 1999}} increasing its equity stake in the ISP to 100 percent in 1999. In 1997, the company commenced its Philippines operations through a local partner,{{cite news|title=Singapore's Biggest ISP Enters Philippines|url=http://www.thedacs.com/techs/abstract/107827|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912133542/http://www.thedacs.com/techs/abstract/107827|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2012|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=Metropolitan Computer Times|date=25 August 1997}} which was acquired by Pacific Internet a year later.{{Citation needed|date=October 2022}}

On 5 February 1999, Pacific Internet launched its initial public offering of shares on NASDAQ at a price of US$17 per share.{{cite news |title=Pacific Internet IPO soars |url=https://money.cnn.com/1999/02/05/technology/pacific/ |access-date=28 February 2012 |newspaper=CNN Money |date=5 February 1999}} In the same year, the company started its Australian operations with the acquisition of two ISPs,{{cite news|title=PI buys two ISPs in Australia|url=http://www.zdnetasia.com/pi-buys-two-isps-in-australia-13023305.htm|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=ZDNet Asia|date=21 December 1999}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} and launched Pacific Internet India, a joint venture unit of Pacific Internet Limited.{{cite news|title=Pacific Internet Targets 25 Indian Cities|url=http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/260881/Pacific+Internet+Targets+25+Indian+Cities.htm|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=InternetNews.com|date=16 December 1999}}{{cite news|title=PI adds to regional presence in Australia, India|url=http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/18578/pi_adds_regional_presence_australia_india/|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=Computerworld|date=22 December 1999}} In 1999, Pacific Internet acquired Australian Zip World, started in Glebe, Sydney.{{cite web|url=https://www.totaltele.com/427459/Singapores-Pacific-Internet-Plans-to-Acquire-Australia-based-Zip-World|title=Singapore's Pacific Internet Plans to Acquire Australia-based Zip World|publisher=Total Telecom|date=14 June 1999|access-date=11 July 2018|author=Linus Chua}}

In 2000, Pacific Internet expanded into six major cities in Australia through further acquisitions of Australian ISPs.{{cite news|title=Pacific Extends Broadband Reach|url=http://www.internetnews.com/bus-news/article.php/337281/Pacific+Extends+Broadband+Reach.htm|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=InternetNews.com|date=10 April 2000}}{{cite news|title=Pacific Internet Reports 34% Increase in Net Revenues for 1Q 2000|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Pacific+Internet+Reports+34%25+Increase+in+Net+Revenues+for+1Q+2000.-a062112978|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=Business Wire|date=16 May 2000}} The company also forayed into Thailand, where it made another acquisition and started its Thailand operations.{{cite news|title=PI acquires major stake in Thai ISP|url=http://www.zdnetasia.com/pi-acquires-major-stake-in-thai-isp-13024047.htm|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=ZDNet Asia|date=10 January 2000}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite news|title=Pacific Internet launches in Bangkok|url=http://www.atimes.com/bizasia/BF03Aa01.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010411071238/http://www.atimes.com/bizasia/BF03Aa01.html|url-status=unfit|archive-date=11 April 2001|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=Asia Times Online|date=3 June 2000}} Two years later, Pacific Internet set up operations in Malaysia{{cite news|title=Pacific Internet enters Malaysia|url=http://www.zdnetasia.com/pacific-internet-enters-malaysia-39069927.htm|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=ZDNet Asia|date=5 August 2002}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

In 2007, Pacific Internet was acquired by Connect Holdings,{{cite news|title=Asia Netcom to acquire Pacific Internet|url=http://www.telecomasia.net/content/fasttakes-ntt-docomo-dtl-huawei|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=Telecom Asia|date=8 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306101102/http://www.telecomasia.net/content/fasttakes-ntt-docomo-dtl-huawei|archive-date=6 March 2014|url-status=dead}} after which, it was delisted from NASDAQ.{{cite news|title=Pacific Internet to delist from Nasdaq|url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/pacific-internet-to-delist-from-nasdaq-voluntarily|access-date=11 July 2018|newspaper=Channel NewsAsia|date=15 October 2007}}

On 12 October 2016, the remaining Pacific Internet in Singapore was acquired by CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited in Hong Kong.

On 8 January 2008, Asia Netcom and Pacific Internet merged under a new corporate name, Pacnet Limited,{{cite news|title=Asia Netcom, PacNet complete merger|url=https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/asia-netcom-pacnet-complete-merger/|access-date=11 July 2018|publisher=ZDNet|date=8 January 2008}}{{cite news|title=Asia Netcom, Pacific Internet Merge; Plan U.S. IPO|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aaVD40OyfAFU&refer=technology|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=Bloomberg|date=8 January 2008}} and adopted a new logo. The company also completed the acquisition of the remaining shares of Pacific Internet{{cite news|title=Pacific Internet is now called Pacnet|url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20080110-44513.html|access-date=28 February 2012|newspaper=The Straits Times|date=10 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409120746/http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20080110-44513.html|archive-date=9 April 2012|url-status=dead}} later that year.

It was announced on 23 December 2014 that Pacnet would be acquired by Telstra, Australia's largest telecommunications and media company.{{cite web|url=https://www.telstraglobal.com/au/insights/news/newsitem/telstra-acquires-asian-telecommunications-and-service-provider-pacnet|title=Telstra acquires Asian telecommunications and service provider Pacnet|publisher=Telstra|date=23 December 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-pacnet-m-a-telstra/australias-telstra-buys-pacnet-expands-asia-presence-cheaply-idUKKBN0K10D320141223?type=companyNews|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711152012/https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-pacnet-m-a-telstra/australias-telstra-buys-pacnet-expands-asia-presence-cheaply-idUKKBN0K10D320141223?type=companyNews|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 July 2018|title=Australia's Telstra buys Pacnet, expands Asia presence cheaply|publisher=Reuters|date=23 December 2014}} Telstra's acquisition of Pacnet was expected to be completed by mid-2015, and includes interests in its China joint venture, Pacnet Business Solutions (PBS), licensed to operate a domestic Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network and provide data centre services in most major provinces in China. Telstra announced the completion of the acquisition in April 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.telstraglobal.com/insights/news/newsitem/telstra-completes-acquistion-pacnet|title=Telstra completes acquisition of Pacnet|publisher=Telstra|date=16 April 2015}}

In November 2015 – SGX-Catalist listed DeClout Limited has signed a deal with Pacnet Internet (S) Pte Ltd ("Pacnet Internet Singapore"), a subsidiary of Telstra Corporation Limited ("Telstra"), Australia's leading telecommunications company, to acquire certain Internet Service Provider assets and business in Singapore and Thailand from Pacnet Internet Singapore. Upon the completion of the acquisition, the acquired assets were merged with Acclivis’ existing ISP business, OSINet, and together, rebranded as Pacific Internet, allowing Acclivis to broaden its offerings and achieve further economies of scale in the ISP segment.{{cite web|url=https://www.acclivis.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Press-Release-Pacific-Internet.pdf|title=ISP asset acquisition by DeClout Limited|publisher=Canaccord Genuity Singapore Pte Ltd}}

In July 2018, Telstra Global is closing Pacnet and migrating users to Telstra's network.{{cite web|url=https://www.telstraglobal.com/au/pacnet|title=Pacnet Internet Australia|access-date=2018-07-11|publisher=Telstra Global}}{{cite web|url=https://www.crn.com.au/news/telstra-progressively-closing-cable-operator-and-telco-pacnet-497588|title=Telstra "progressively closing" cable operator and telco Pacnet|date=11 July 2018|publisher=CRN}}

Pacnet's pan-Asia EAC-C2C network was formed from the integration of the EAC (East Asia Crossing) and CSC systems in 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/home-and-office/networking/asia-netcom-c2c-become-one/|title=Asia Netcom, C2C become one |publisher=ZDNet|date=13 September 2007|author=Victor Ho|access-date=11 July 2018}} The fibre optic subsea cable network spans 36,800 km between Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, the Philippines, Singapore and China. It has a design capacity of 17.92 Tbit/s to 30.72 Tbit/s to each of these landing countries. The EAC-C2C network lands at 18 cable landing stations across Asia.{{cite web|url=https://www.computerworld.com.my/resource/networking/far-eastone-boosts-pacnets-taiwan-network/|title=Far EasTone boosts Pacnet's Taiwan network|publisher=Computerworld Malaysia|author=Anuradha Shukla|date=1 April 2011|access-date=11 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711185429/https://www.computerworld.com.my/resource/networking/far-eastone-boosts-pacnets-taiwan-network/|archive-date=11 July 2018|url-status=dead}}

EAC Pacific is part of the US$300 million Unity cable system that has been built with five other global companies including Bharti Airtel, Global Transit, Google, KDDI Corporation and SingTel. Pacnet operates two of the five fibre pairs in the cable system independently.

The two fibre pairs, collectively known as EAC Pacific, provide up to 1.92 Tbit/s of capacity across the Pacific Ocean. At Chikura, EAC Pacific is connected to the EAC-C2C cable system.

The Unity cable system was built by NEC Corporation and Tyco Telecommunications. Construction began in February 2008, and the cable system has been ready for service since 1 April 2010.

Pacnet operated 24 data centre sites in the Asia Pacific region.{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Penny|title=Pacnet expands in Asia with new data center|url=http://www.datacenterdynamics.com/focus/archive/2012/03/pacnet-expands-asia-new-data-center|access-date=24 April 2012|newspaper=DatacenterDynamics|date=22 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302003210/http://www.datacenterdynamics.com/focus/archive/2012/03/pacnet-expands-asia-new-data-center|archive-date=2 March 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Pacnet to build its fifth data centre in China|url=http://www.computerworld.com.my/resource/data-center/pacnet-to-build-its-fifth-data-centre-in-china/|publisher=Computerworld Malaysia|access-date=12 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303165848/http://www.computerworld.com.my/resource/data-center/pacnet-to-build-its-fifth-data-centre-in-china/|archive-date=3 March 2014|url-status=dead}}

In 2010, Pacnet started building high-tier data centre capabilities within its cable landing facilities.{{cite news|last=Waring|first=Joseph|title=Pacnet to invest $300m in Asian data centers|url=http://www.telecomasia.net/content/pacnet-invest-300m-asian-data-centers|access-date=24 April 2012|newspaper=telecomasia.net|date=24 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306112952/http://www.telecomasia.net/content/pacnet-invest-300m-asian-data-centers|archive-date=6 March 2014|url-status=dead}} The company launched its first data center with direct connectivity into its subsea cable infrastructure in Hong Kong on 2 November that year.{{cite news|last=Clark|first=Robert|title=Pacnet plans $220m data center buildout|url=http://www.telecomasia.net/content/pacnet-plans-220m-data-center-buildout|access-date=24 April 2012|newspaper=telecomasia.net|date=3 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306112121/http://www.telecomasia.net/content/pacnet-plans-220m-data-center-buildout|archive-date=6 March 2014|url-status=dead}} This was soon followed by the launch of its second data centre with direct connectivity into its subsea cable infrastructure in its Singapore cable landing station later that month.{{cite news|last=Liau|first=Yun Qing|title=Pacnet intensifies hosted services play|url=http://www.zdnetasia.com/pacnet-intensifies-hosted-services-play-62204629.htm|access-date=24 April 2012|newspaper=ZDNet Asia|date=23 November 2010}}

On 15 February 2011, the company unveiled its Sydney data centre.{{cite news|last=Barwick|first=Hamish|title=Pacnet pushes for Asia Pacific data centre dominance|url=http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/376761/pacnet_pushes_asia_pacifc_data_centre_dominance/|access-date=24 April 2012|newspaper=Computerworld|date=15 February 2011|archive-date=1 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301120101/http://www.computerworld.com.au/article/376761/pacnet_pushes_asia_pacifc_data_centre_dominance/|url-status=dead}} Located in the central business district of Sydney at 133 Liverpool Street, the Tier III facility has 5,920 square feet (550 square meters) of space over three levels in an existing, occupied building. It was built by FDC Construction & Fitout Pty. Ltd. in six months, and won the prestigious Masters Builders Association Excellence in Construction Award in 2011.{{cite news|title=Winners list|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac;jsessionid=93A6E562864DC3C4C14F1FCBE96B0486?sy=afr&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=1month&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=10&rm=200&sp=brs&cls=234&clsPage=1&docID=SMH111110HH1F06D2BPM|access-date=24 April 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 November 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www2.mbansw.asn.au/Excellence-Awards/EIC/2011/ENTRY-101/ |publisher=Master Builders Association |title=Master Builders Association |access-date=7 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324103135/http://mbansw.asn.au/excellence-awards/eic/2011/entry-101/ |archive-date=24 March 2016}}

On 22 March 2012, Pacnet opened its fourth advanced data centre in the Tseung Kwan O Industrial Estate, Hong Kong.{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Penny|title=Pacnet expands in Asia with new data center|url=http://www.datacenterdynamics.com/focus/archive/2012/03/pacnet-expands-asia-new-data-center|access-date=24 April 2012|newspaper=DatacenterDynamics|date=22 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302003210/http://www.datacenterdynamics.com/focus/archive/2012/03/pacnet-expands-asia-new-data-center|archive-date=2 March 2014|url-status=dead}}

On 5 December 2012, Pacnet signed an agreement with the Tianjin Wuqing government to jointly develop a data centre in Tianjin Wuqing Business District in Tianjin, China.{{cite web|title=Pacnet to build its fifth data centre in China|url=http://www.computerworld.com.my/resource/data-center/pacnet-to-build-its-fifth-data-centre-in-china/|publisher=Computerworld Malaysia|access-date=12 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303165848/http://www.computerworld.com.my/resource/data-center/pacnet-to-build-its-fifth-data-centre-in-china/|archive-date=3 March 2014|url-status=dead}} The facility - estimated to cost RMB450 million (US$72 million) to build - was Pacnet's fifth data centre in China and one of its largest data centres. Construction commenced in early 2013 and the data centre was expected to be operational in early 2014.

Pacnet ran two NOCs, in Singapore and Sydney. These two NOCs ran 24 × 7 operations and had the capabilities to operate as a backup NOC in the event that the systems in one NOC lost network visibility.

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{official website|https://www.telstraglobal.com/au/pacnet}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.telstraglobal.com/au/|title=Telstra Global}}

Category:Telecommunications companies established in 2008

Category:Telecommunications companies disestablished in 2015

Category:2008 mergers and acquisitions

Category:2015 mergers and acquisitions

Category:Internet in Singapore

Category:Telecommunications companies of Hong Kong

Category:Telstra