 Guernsey, together with Kingston-upon-Hull (see KCOM Group), was outside of the telecommunications monopoly which was created in the British Islands in 1912 by the General Post Office following its purchase of the National Telephone Company Limited.On 1 October 2001, following a decision by the States of Guernsey to privatise the telecoms industry, operations were transferred from the States of Guernsey Telecommunications Board to a new corporate structure called Guernsey Telecoms Ltd in preparation for privatisation.On 30 May 2002, the company was sold to Cable & Wireless.