Telcoinabox
ultra fast broadband
OPENS DOORS FOR TELCO FRANCHISEES

New Zealand has a reputation as a tech-savvy early adopter of both new technologies and business concepts. It’s not surprising, then, that when the telecommunications sector was de-regulated, many Kiwis leapt at the opportunity to set up their own telecommunications companies with the aid of Telcoinabox.

That was just two years ago and already there are 20 individuals, couples and businesses operating as Telcoinabox franchisees. According to Shannon Fisher, Telcoinabox CEO for New Zealand, there is still plenty of opportunity for others to be among the early birds catching the worm – and what a worm this is turning out to be.

‘With the government committing $1.5 billion to the roll-out of Ultra Fast Broadband (UFB), the telecommunications industry is poised to go ballistic,’ exclaims Shannon enthusiastically. ‘UFB is a game breaker but strangely, when I suggest UFB will stimulate the country’s economy in ways unimagined and forever change the way we live, I often get sceptical looks. Those only disappear when I explain that this isn’t broadband as we know it, but totally new technology where age-old copper wiring is replaced with fibre optic cable carrying digital information as pulses of light travelling at the speed of light.

‘To paint a quick picture of what UFB – or Fibre Optic Broadband, as I prefer to call it –will achieve: the virtual office or boardroom will be far more real with crystal clear, higher definition images and no voice time-lag. Offices can span the world, reducing the need for air travel and its impact on the world’s carbon footprint and non-renewable energy resources. Businesses can save on expensive rental space and their employees save fuel and parking costs by staff telecommuting from their homes or wherever. Anyone contacting a business might feel the person they are calling is just a few walls away from the telephonist but the reality is that they could be in a different town or on a different island.

‘Initially, the government’s roll-out will focus on businesses, schools and health services. Aged care is one area where it doesn’t take much imagination to see how UFB can allow remote doctor-patient consultations, remote monitoring and even administration of medication. This will reduce pressure on hospitals by allowing older people to remain in their homes longer.’

Low Overheads, High Support

While UFB may not be here yet, current technologies are already creating incredible opportunities. Companies and individuals are increasingly relying upon internet access, smart phones and other forms of digital communication and the question has become not, ‘Do we need this service?’ but ‘Which service provider do we use?’

That’s where Telcoinabox franchisees come in. ‘Our business model is straightforward,’ says Shannon. ‘We have negotiated bulk wholesale prices on services from Telecom and TelstraClear. A Telecoinabox franchisee needs only a computer, telephone and internet connection. With next to no overheads, they can compete for residential and smaller to medium-size business customers on costs while offering a full suite of products including landlines, calling, dial-up, standard broadband, mobile broadband, toll-free numbers, web, email hosting and of course, in the not too distant future, Fibre Optic Broadband.’

Everything, from step-by-step guides to online support, comes in one box (hence the name). ‘As franchisor, we are responsible for the technical side, including tracking and billing,’ Shannon explains. ‘This frees up franchisees to focus on sales, marketing and developing one-on-one customer relationships, which explains why telecommunications experience is not necessary. In fact some 90 percent of our franchisees in New Zealand and Australia have no telecommunications background. With our operations centre employing over 60 people, franchisees get all the technical support they could want.

‘And when UFB does start rolling out, the relationship between Telcoinabox and Chorus ensures fibre optic cable access and capacity for Telcoinabox franchisees to compete in that market, too. The time to get started is now!’

Passive Recurring Income

Shannon welcomes franchise enquiries from individuals and couples, and is also keen to hear from companies wanting to add a valuable income stream to their mainstream business – whatever that may be. ‘In this economic climate, businesses can very successfully lessen their financial exposure through becoming involved in a proven growth industry. For a company with strong business-to-business relationships this is a wonderful opportunity that isn’t confined to a territory. Telecommunications services can be offered to affiliates, suppliers and customers throughout New Zealand. An online searchable knowledge base provides everything franchisees and staff need to know on an ongoing basis, and we run a monthly interactive webinar session to help everyone refresh their knowledge and learn about new products and services.’

Is it profitable? ‘Telcoinabox franchisees can achieve 25-30 percent margins while saving their customers 15-20 percent on their phone and internet bills,’ explains Shannon. ‘Those are services that customers are going to be buying anyway, so it’s a matter of telling people, “I can provide you with a better, more personal service for lower cost.” The result is a business that can earn over $300,000 – and a lot of that is passive, recurring income. Not bad for a $65,000 start up investment!

‘UFB is going to be a game changer – and it’s happening already. Contact us now and find out more.’

This advertorial is taken from Franchise New Zealand magazine Volume 20 Issue 4 

Contact details for Telcoinabox

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