U.K. direct-to-home TV provider BSkyB has been linked in the U.K. press with a move for the British Internet access division of AOL, which may be up for sale. AOL is one of the major Internet service providers in the United Kingdom with more than 2.2 million customers, including 1.5 million broadband subscribers.

Reports indicated that AOL is looking for around 1 billion British pounds ($1.84 billion) for a deal here, although reports indicate that a price of around GBP700 million ($1.28 billion) is more likely. According to reports, BSkyB’s main rival is BT.

BSkyB made a move in the broadband market in late 2005, acquiring telco Easynet in a deal worth 211 million pounds ($388.39 million) as it bids to make its mark in the Internet market. BSkyB also plans to launch an IPTV service in the next 12 months. It already has more than 8 million customers in the U.K. and Ireland.