ArgoNet have just announced that they have separated from Argo Interactive Ltd. to become Freedom2. Although still part of the same group of companies, Freedom2 will be free to build up the ISP side of the business while Argo Interactive concentrate on mobile device software.

The ArgoNet name will be retained for current ISP customers, but they've also officially announced the Passport2Learn ISP for schools and other educational establishments. Built from scratch in conjunction with big names like Sun Cobalt, Ideal Hardware and Navaho Technologies, it does away with the troublesome UUnet Pipex service and offers unmetered access on ISDN2, with broadband promised later. Although this isn't mentioned as being offered to ArgoNet customers - as UUNet don't offer it to their resellers - this could point to it being made available at some point.

Matt Gray, who some will remember from his days in Technical Support at ArgoNet, is now Managing Director, and had this to say:

"Freedom2's vision is to be the leading supplier of secure, reliable Internet access at great value for money. We are have developed our own connectivity infrastructure to ensure reliable, high speed access for our customers. Our modular approach to this new system enables rapid expansion of both the network and our customer base without impairing quality to existing customers."

After the past management of the ISP it's encouraging to see that people who actually seem to care about it are now in control. The people who originally built it appear to have lost interest and have done a good impression of running the business down with an eye on closing it, even if that wasn't their stated intent. The past week's problems with mail - due in part to a spam attack, but in the most part because of the extreme age and underspec'd server that was handling almost all ArgoNet's services - coupled with recent job losses at Argo Group's main headquarters would suggest the time is ripe for a change in management. And all of this just in time for the shareholders that invested in ArgoNet to voice their opinions at the AGM later this month. Let's hope that Matt can build the company and deliver on his promises.

Websites:

• Freedom2
  (ArgoIS if F2 doesn't work yet)
• ArgoNet
• Passport2Learn