NetActive Limited, one of South Africa`s three fastest growing Internet service providers (ISPs) - recording an organic growth rate in its subscriber base of over 250 percent a year over the past three years - is to apply for a listing in the Venture Capital sector of The Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
Lawrence Brick, chief executive officer of NetActive, says that the company`s vision is to proactively seek out the needs of Internet users in the consumer and small to medium enterprise markets and respond by providing value-added products and services. The company focuses on high growth market segments, which it is able to reach through a powerful range of effective distribution channels.
It is estimated that global data traffic on the Internet is doubling every 100 days and it is believed that retail sales executed on the Internet double in 1999 and rise by a further 50 percent per annum thereafter.
"When one considers," says Mr Brick, "that South Africa`s fledgling Internet market is one of the faster growing in the world, it becomes clear that there are massive opportunities inherent in trends such as online advertising, e-commerce, voice over data, virtual communities and network integration."
Mr Brick added that the company has built up a dynamic and exceptionally competent management team, including specialists in the technical, marketing and financial arenas that have the skills and experience to harness the Internet and take advantage of these developments as they emerge and evolve.
NetActive has over 10 000 subscribers, compared to 2 500 in 1997, while the NetActive website is accessed over 300 000 times a month.
The key factors that have contributed to this dramatic growth is the company`s core focus and competence at demystifying the Internet and the provision of easy-to-use Internet access by offering customised software, reliable network facilities and responsive customer service. "Whilst NetActive offers a complete range of connectivity options," says Mr Brick, "the main thrust of NetActive`s strategy is focused on providing a wide range of value-added products and services, including high-quality web development, domain registrations, web hosting, Internet advertising and fax over the Internet services."
With its head office in Sandton, NetActive now operates nationwide through branches located in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein, Durban and Port Elizabeth.
It also operates dial-up points of presence (PoPs) in over 40 smaller centres. NetActive employs over 100 highly skilled people, mostly based at the company`s head office.
Mr Brick says that NetActive`s growth has been achieved through a commitment to serving the changing Internet needs of the consumer as well as the SME markets. To date, the energies and resources of NetActive have been focused on building its substantial network infrastructure, internal staffing and systems development.
Key relationships have been developed with computer retailers, distributors, leading retail chains and over 600 value-added resellers throughout the country, which have materially increased the number of nationwide distribution channels available to the company and enhanced its ability to continue developing its base of end-users.
Mr Brick adds that the listing of NetActive facilitates an even closer relationship with its business partners, enabling them to participate in the equity growth of the company, attract and retain highly skilled staff, as well as pursuing strategic alliances and acquisitions, which contribute towards fulfilling the group`s vision.
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