Your own instant ISP at Futurex

By Rodney Weidemann for Branded Internet

Johannesburg, 23 Apr 2004

While a fully operational, tailor-made, branded demonstration version of a company`s own Internet Service Provider (ISP) normally takes weeks to create, a Futurex 2004 exhibitor is promising customers that it will supply them this product within 10 minutes.

Branded Internet, a private label Internet service provider company, will be offering visitors an ISP branded with their own company name, information and logo.

The Branded Internet Service Provider (BISP) system was developed to give any company the ability to offer their own premier, low-cost ISP service. Branded Internet says the system enables companies to create new business opportunities, increase revenue streams, improve marketing and cut costs by providing customers with Internet services.

"We see a future where any size or type of organisation that has a need can benefit from having their own ISP. They don`t have to go through the operational difficulty of managing one because it is not their core business," says Lance Terner, CEO of Branded Internet.

"These companies can focus on what they do best, service their customer base and promote and market their brand, while we take care of the full ISP service for them. This includes the infrastructure, support, right through to billing."

Mecer has already teamed up with Branded Internet to launch Mecer Net, a BISP that targets Mecer dealers and end-users. According to Terner, the BISP model enables Mecer to have its own ISP without incurring the costs of setting up a new one.

"Through the Mecer Net service, Mecer is now offering not only an enhanced product range and an additional service, but an opportunity for Mecer dealers to earn rebates by signing up end-users to the service," he says.

"Aside from Mecer, Branded Internet has also enabled computer stores, dealers, Internet caf'es and even a retail clothing chain to launch their own ISP, under their own name."

"Now, instead of having to pass customers onto other ISPs, companies can bundle the Internet with their products and thus keep the clients for themselves," says Terner.

Futurex 2004, which combines the Tel.Com and Computer Faire events, will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre from 18 to 21 May. Futurex: The Conference runs for three days alongside the exhibition, from 18-20 May.