TNS Acquires Comms XL to Further its Strategy of Becoming an End-to-End POS Technology Provider.

RESTON, Va. -- Transaction Network Services, Inc. (NYSE:TNS), a leading network and data communications provider for transaction-oriented applications, is transforming the provision of point of sale technology with the acquisition of Comms XL. The acquisition further establishes TNS as one of the leading end-to-end point of sale technology providers. TNS now has the expertise to handle both ends of the retail process, from the transaction at the point of sale to processing the information with card issuers and acquiring banks.

This acquisition builds on TNS' previous experience transporting over 8 billion card transactions annually and furthers TNS' capabilities to provide an end-to-end point of sale solution encompassing communications, payment terminals, logistics, EPOS software and transaction processing.

Comms XL provides over 1,000 customers -- including well known names such as JD Sports and First Choice -- with a variety of card transaction processing services, including pre-approved Chip and PIN software, a payment service provider gateway and innovative kiosk and hospitality solutions. Comms XL sells directly and through its channel partners in markets such as retail, hospitality, local government, utilities and financial services.

"With Comms XL, TNS is now able to provide a solution at every stage of the point of sale process -- from the retailer to the bank and everything in between," said Alan Stephenson-Brown, director of business development at TNS.

"For retailers, it means that they now only have to work with one company when it comes to setting up the point of sale. In addition to the obvious benefits of dealing with a single provider, it will also provide retailers with further opportunities to maximize their IT investment, reduce costs and build stronger relationships with their customers," adds Stephenson-Brown.

"We're delighted to combine our expertise and complementary technologies with TNS," says Wendy Dobson, sales director at Comms XL. "Retailers want to add value, not hassle, to their EPOS environment, so we'll be talking to all of our customers and partners about how they can combine the benefits of transaction and communications technologies."

About Transaction Network Services, Inc.

Transaction Network Services is one of the leading providers of business-critical, cost-effective data communications services for transaction-oriented applications. TNS provides rapid, reliable and secure transaction delivery platforms to enable transaction authorisation and processing across several vertical markets and trading communities.

Since its inception in 1990, TNS has designed and implemented multiple data networks, each designed specifically for the transport of transaction-oriented data. TNS networks support a variety of widely accepted communications protocols and are designed to be scalable and accessible by multiple methods. TNS network technologies have been deployed in the United States and internationally, and TNS networks have become preferred networks servicing the trading community, wireless and wireline carriers, and the card processing and dial-up automated teller machine markets. For further information about TNS transaction solutions, please refer to www.tnsi.com.