Micro-acquisition and new product releases key focus for Telco in a Box in 2011

Telco in a Box will focus on micro-acquisition and new data product releases as key considerations in its 2011 business plan, says CEO Paul Line, with a view to generating rapid business growth potential for the company’s network of telecommunications franchises.

Small to medium telecommunications companies experiencing sluggish business growth and margin squeeze will be targeted for acquisition, with particular attention given to Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

A dedicated team has been created to work on the new acquisition initiative, with Telco in a Box also employing external business brokers to facilitate negotiations between operators of the telecommunications franchises and potential takeover targets.

Telco in a Box will also provide financing to ensure deals get across the line efficiently, explains Mr Line.

“Our service providers are essentially entrepreneurs so it makes sense to play the role of ‘venture capitalist’ as well as infrastructure and product provider,” he says.

2011 will also see the launch of a new suite of pre-packaged data products for the telco franchises.

The recently signed deal with Engin to provide VoIP and hosted voice services will be extended, with Telco in a Box extending its product suites to include:

• web-hosting
• remote back-up
• anti-virus
• VPN; and
• net filtering services.

In addition to acquisition and new product launches, a key focus of the company’s business plan for 2011 is to ramp up the number of Telco in a Box telecommunications franchises.

The company currently has 110 service providers on its books and aims to add approximately 20 by the end of the calendar year.

Mr Line says that the company’s recruitment strategy this year is to reduce the current barriers to entry.

“We want to sell the benefits of owning your own customer base rather than being a dealer for another telco,” he concludes.