Telecoms giant BT has acquired Belgian-based network systems integrator INS Group S.A. as it continues to push the brand beyond British shores.

The firm said it hoped to ramp up its presence in the global LAN and IP telephony services market.

It added that INS, which employs 225 people in Benelux, France, Germany, US, India and Australia, had revenues of €27.9m for the year ended 31 December 2006.

Just last month BT made an exclusive €60m cash offer for French IT services firm CS Communication and Systèmes, for which it has been given a deadline of 30 November to complete the transaction.

BT global services CEO, François Barrault, said: "Today's announcement marks the next step in our strategy to grow our global capability and market coverage in key convergence technologies, and extends BT's leadership position in the LAN and IP telephony services market."

Financial terms of the INS deal were undisclosed.

Shares in BT are currently trading at 305.5 pence on the London Stock Exchange - up 2.6 per cent on the previous close. ®