Released on: August 8, 2008, 1:59 am

Press Release Author: Jonathan Bowers

Industry: Internet & Online

Press Release Summary: UK Grid and UKFast.Net Ltd have joined forces in a deal worth
over £9.6m to deliver online internet hosting facilities that will allow the UK and
specifically the North West to continue their digital growth. The two Manchester
based technology companies are also planning the development of further data centres
to cater for long term growth.

Press Release Body: In a deal worth £9.6m, UK Grid Data Centres has brokered a new
partnership with managed hosting specialist UKFast. The deal fast tracks the
availability of hosting facilities to business and allows Manchester to continue as
a big player in the UK's digital growth, which remains on an upward curve in this
time of uncertainty.

The collaboration sees the facility rebranded as MaNOC - Manchester Network
Operations Centre. UK Grid's Rob Garbutt views the partnership as a natural
progression for the company.

"UKFast brings a new dimension to our offering with its pedigree as the UK's Best
Dedicated Host," said Garbutt. "With their financial muscle, we're now in a position
to get all the suites within our facility online as soon as possible. Teaming up
also means we can attract large blue chips right through to SMEs with an even
stronger offering."

The project increases UKFast's data centre capacity by 350% allowing co-location to
return to its portfolio of services alongside managed hosting. Having announced a
record pre-tax profit in 2007 of £1.45m, this year shows no let up in managed
hosting growth.

MD Lawrence Jones estimates new sales for the first six months at a 157% increase on
the same time last year with July 2008 set to show a 176% increase on 2007. "This
venture with UK Grid comes at a great time for us. We are filling rack space at a
terrific rate and the new facility guarantees we can meet demand over the coming
year."

The two firms are also working towards another joint venture to facilitate long term
growth. The proposed development involves building a further data centre in the
Greater Manchester region to compliment the current initiative.


Web Site: http://www.ukfast.co.uk

Contact Details: Jonathan Bowers
Communications Director
0844 576 3909
Jonathan.bowers@ukfast.net

UKFast.net Ltd
City Tower
Piccadilly Plaza
Manchester
M1 4BT