KPNQwest network going, going, gone

NEWS Bankrupt data carrier KPNQwest is on the verge of closing the remainder of its European network today. A notice on KPNQwest's website stated that funding for repairs to the network ceased to be made available from last Friday, 12 July, and its skeleton staff will not be paid beyond today. The statement warned: "If no agreement can be reached, the network will be shut down in a controlled and orderly manner, starting on Friday 19-07-2002 at 11:00 European time." Not all KPNQwest customers will be seriously affected as the parts of the network which were able to exist independently of the main circuit were not made bankrupt with the holding company. A spokeswoman for KPNQwest's board of trustees was not prepared to confirm or deny the news.