Released on = August 16, 2007, 9:15 am

Press Release Author = Jonathan Bowers

Industry = Internet & Online

Press Release Summary = Overseas companies are beginning to challenge more seriously
for a large piece of the UK's online revenue by hosting sophisticated internet
solutions in the UK. The ISPA's Best Business Host UKFast has seen a huge rise in
the amount of foreign enterprise clients within the last six months. The figures
also give an indication of the sectors to watch out for over the next six months.

Press Release Body = It has been known for a while that search engines reward
businesses that host within the country they are trading by ranking them more
highly. But now, the UK is beginning to see the effects of this with foreign
companies flooding into our data centres to win a share of the market, says Lawrence
Jones, managing director of business hosting provider UKFast.

UKFast's recent six month figures show that over 33 per cent of the hosts new
enterprise level clients are overseas businesses. The US, Australia and Continental
Europe take the lead and as enterprise clients they are taking the move very
seriously.

"It is great for hosting companies like us to take on huge solutions from countries
like the US and Germany but it presents a stark reality. The global marketplace
allows anyone to do business with UK consumers. For the benefit of the UK economy,
the home grown talent needs to be aware of the competition and be prepared to
challenge it."

According to Laura Blizard, marketing manager at internet marketing consultancy
Harper James, Web 2.0 has brought user recommendation to the forefront for UK
consumers and revitalised their trust in online traders. "We have never been more
willing to spend online and companies at home and abroad are aware of this new
climate."

UKFast's analysis also gives some indication of the fastest growing sectors online.
While the travel sector continues to consolidate a healthy share of the revenue,
gaming sites, financial businesses and e-learning will all have increased their
presence before the end of the year. Unsurprisingly, one of the main catalysts to
growth is the emergence of more user generated content and Web 2.0 technologies
within company websites.


Web Site = http://www.ukfast.net

Contact Details = Jonathan Bowers
City Tower
Piccadilly Plaza
Manchester
M1 4BT

t: 0870 421 1585
f: 0870 458 4545

Email: Jonathan.bowers@ukfast.net