Editing Packet Switch Stream (section)

=== Tymnet acquisition and exchange for other assets ===
BT bought the [[Tymnet]] network from [[McDonnell Douglas]]. BT subsequently exchanged major US elements of the Tymnet business with [[MCI Communications|MCI]] for other assets when the proposed merger of their two businesses was thwarted by MCI's purchase by WorldCom.

In the words of BT's own history:<blockquote>
British Telecom purchased the Tymnet network systems business and its associated applications activities from the McDonnell Douglas Corporation on 19 November (1989) for $355 million. Its activities included TYMNET, the public network business, plus its associates private and hybrid (mixed public and private) network activities, the OnTyme electronic mail service, the Card Service processing business, and EDI*Net, the US market leader in [[electronic data interchange]].

BT Tymnet anticipated developing an end to end managed network service for multi-national customers, and developing dedicated or hybrid networks that embraced major trading areas. Customers would be able to enjoy one-stop-shopping for global data networks, and a portfolio of products designed for a global market place.

These services were subsequently offered by BT Global Network Services, and subsequently by Concert as part of Concert Global Network Services after the Concert joint venture company was launched on 15 June 1994.
</blockquote>