Internet service provider iinet says it welcomes recent pricing moves by the competition regulator to open up the national broadband network to all players.

However, the company, which on Tuesday reported a rise in first half profit, says its near-term focus is to integrate recent acquisitions rather than search for more takeovers.

The Perth-based telco bought Internode and TransACT in the first half of 2011/12, helping swell its broadband customer base to 860,000 – or 16 per cent of the market – from 641,000 reported in August 2011.

iinet chief executive Michael Malone said Internode and TransACT as well as the 2010 purchase of AAPT’s consumer division, were keeping the company busy.

“I wouldn’t foresee any substantial acquisitions in the very short term,” Mr Malone said on Tuesday.

“Operationally we have got our hands full for the next few months.”

The company posted a net profit of $14.4 million in the first half of 2011/12, up 17 per cent from the prior corresponding period.

Chief financial officer David Buckingham said the company had used about $235 million of its $300 million debt facility and added that the company was comfortable with its level of debt.

Mr Malone said the company had enough headroom and cashflow to support a purchase if the right deal came along.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) last week ruled that retail internet service providers must have fair and transparent access to the nation’s fixed broadband lines.

The deal means consumers should have access to cheaper internet services.

The company declared an interim dividend of six cents per share, fully franked.

Shares in iinet were up four cents at $3.17 on Tuesday, having touched an intraday high at $3.23.