press room

Telecommunications wholesaler and aggregator Telcoinabox has signed a wholesale agreement with NBNCo with plans to launch NBNCo services to its 100 service providers the first quarter of 2012.

Telcoinabox CEO Paul Line indicated that engagement with NBNCo had begun early on.  “The time is now right for us to take this product to market.  Many of our service providers are in regional areas covered by the latest NBNCo roll-out plans and it’s critical that they are ready to connect their customers when the network goes live in their area.”

“We welcome Telcoinabox as a Service Provider on the NBN.  NBNCo will continue to work with Telcoinabox over the coming months to facilitate its on-boarding to the NBN,” Ben Salmon, NBNCo Sales Director said.

Network testing is planned to commence in January 2012 with an expected product release for April next year.

According to Line the roll out of ubiquitous high-speed broadband will be a massive catalyst for adoption of hosted voice technology in the SME market.  This has been one of the drivers behind Telcoinabox’s launch, this month, of its first cloud-based, hosted voice product, branded MyPBX and targeted at the small to medium enterprise (SME) market.

Telcoinabox signed a deal with Australian-owned and publically listed VoIP provider, Engin, in January this year to gain wholesale access to its Broadsoft platform and, since then, has been working on product development.

Line believes that the launch of MyPBX is a logical next step into ‘next generation’ products for Telcoinabox and it will translate easily into an NBN environment.  “Traditional voice is where we first built our business so it makes sense for our first cloud-based product to be a voice application.”

The product will initially be offered over Telcoinabox’s existing ADSL2+ or SHDSL access products but will be relatively easy to migrate to NBN access as it becomes available.

“The SME market hasn’t really adopted this technology with the vigour of larger enterprise clients. Many current VoIP providers focus heavily on cost-savings but, while these can be significant,  we feel there is an opportunity to educate smaller business operators on the added flexibility , mobility, scalability and efficiency benefits that a fully hosted solution can offer.”

Line believes this product will provide further growth opportunities for existing Telcoinabox service providers and attract new distribution partners for the company, particularly in the system integration and IT managed services space.

For comment, please contact: Telcoinabox CEO Paul Line on 0409 752 582. For information, contact Andreina Garofali on 02 9130 5747 or 0410 434 227.

Telcoinabox has set a company-wide one year goal to help support 10 families through their cancer journey by donating proceeds from their fundraising activities to Redkite, a cancer support charity for children, young people and their families.  

Paul Line, CEO of Telcoinabox, said the company is pulling out all the stops to meet this goal. “Since we launched the initiative we have raised money by running in the City to Surf, sold off old office equipment and given staff the option to sacrifice a portion of their salary to Redkite.”  

Redkite is the only national organisation which provides support to children and young people (up to age 24) and their families for the entire cancer journey.

On average, it costs $2,500 to support a family over a 12 month period with vital Redkite services including financial and educational assistance, support in hospitals through social workers and music therapists, and community-based support including telephone and email counselling.  

In less than two months, Telcoinabox has already raised enough money to help Redkite support four families with access to essential services over a one year period.  

“Our aim is to rally all staff behind the cause in the hope to raise up to $25,000. Having a common altruistic goal within a time limit has given our staff a sense that they are in a race to win.

“There’s a lot of momentum behind the cause. Each time we raise $2,500 we add the tally to our dedicated Redkite wall so everyone in the company can see what our efforts have tangibly achieved,” Line said.

Over the next few months fund raising events include the Footy Finals staff bakeoff, attending the Redkite Corporate Quiz in Sydney, and taking part in Redkite’s ‘Sea 2 Summit Challenge’ cycling event, riding 248 kilometres from Merimbula to Mt Kosciuszko.  

* Redkite has recently launched a new television commercial “Lighten the Load”  to raise awareness of Redkite’s vital services for children and young people with cancer and their families. Click here to view.

8 September 2011        

Newly appointed CFO - Tony Crossley and Group Product Manager - Jeanette Slack

 

Telcoinabox gears up for growth with four new major Australian appointments starting this month at the Telcoinabox Australian and New Zealand Operations Centre (ANZOC).   

Appointments include Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Network & IT Manager, Group Product Manager and Sales Manager.  

“We have some ambitious goals for the company,” says Telcoinabox managing director Damian Kay.  

“Our vision is to triple our revenue over the next five years. To achieve this our plan is to strengthen our financial position through raising capital, growing our current service providers by launching new and improved voice, mobile, data and internet products, and adding to the mix, non organic growth options.   

“Hiring the right people in strategic positions will allow us to achieve these goals and free up the management team to concentrate on potential acquisition opportunities and actioning our NBN strategy.”  

The newly created position of CFO will be headed by Tony Crossley who will join the senior management team.  

He comes from Mortgage Choice Limited after ten years. His vast experience in funding and risk management of a 400 franchise network will assist in setting up the foundations for the next growth phase and leading the company’s micro-acquisition program in a financial management capacity for all service providers in Australia and New Zealand.

  On the IT front, Ahad Aboss joins the company as Network & IT Manager.  A network engineer with over ten years’ experience, he has worked for iGreen and Swiftel and recently Exetel.

As the company expands into layer 2 DSL, SHDSL, VoIP, hosting and cloud technology, Ahad will lead a team of three engineers into this phase along with managing all internal IT requirements.

  Jeanette Slack joins the team as Group Product Manager responsible for product management, development and strategy.  Jeanette has 14 years telecommunications experience, and brings with her an in depth knowledge in mobile, VoIP and fixed line. She was previously with Veda Advantage then Optus and ACN. 

  The sales team will be bolstered by the addition of ex-AAPT Adrian Atherton as Sales Manager. His focus will be to target ISPs, small telcos and existing telco dealers looking to expand their product folios or increase their customer base incorporating the Telcoinabox model.  

“Finding good people can be a limiting factor for high-growth companies like Telcoinabox,” says Telcoinabox Australian CEO Paul Line.   

“With these recent additions to the team we are in good stead to maintain our vision to be the number one telecommunications reseller in Australia.”  

Recently Telcoinabox was recognised as one of Australia’s best places to work according to a BRW survey.

Media release
23 June 2011

Telcoinabox ranked one of Australia's Best Places to Work

For the first time telecommunications wholesaler and franchisor, Telcoinabox has been recognised as one of Australia's best places to work following its listing in today's BRW survey.

The company is the only telecommunications listed and is also ranked 5th overall of 50 companies on the 'pride' metric where Telcoinabox employees are proud to tell people where they work.

"We work in a highly competitive industry yet despite the business challenges we have always put our people first. They are the drivers of the company at the end of the day," says CEO Telcoinabox Australia, Paul Line.

Telcoinabox was recognised for its "superstar" employee of the month program, giving employees their birthdays off, a $5000 budget per employee for external training and 12 weeks paid maternity leave.

The company was listed with some of the world's best known brands and some local, including Google, Net App Australia, Deloitte's and Red Balloon.

Telcoinabox employs 50 staff in its open-plan Sydney office with crèche and employee playroom and is currently recruiting for a Networks and IT Manager.

For comment, please contact: Telcoinabox CEO Paul Line on 0409 752 582. For information, contact Andreina Garofali on 02 9130 5747 or 0410 434 227.

About Telcoinabox Telcoinabox is a telecommunications wholesaler, reseller and franchisor which packages telephony products that are distributed through its wide franchisee and service provider network nationally. Telcoinabox has over 110 service providers which are individually branded, owned and operated. Franchisees are located in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA NT, WA and Tasmania. www.telcoinabox.com.au

Telecommunications wholesaler and franchisor, Telcoinabox New Zealand has signed 13 new service providers in less than 4-months.   

According to CEO Shannon Fisher this is a reflection of business buyers increased understanding of the benefits of operating in telecommunications. 

“Our release of mobile voice and data via NZ Telecom Wholesale, W-CDMA network has definitely proven to buyers that telecommunications is no longer an unreachable industry category. 

 “What’s interesting is that the people who like the concept of being their own telecommunications business owner are families, mother and son and husband and wife teams. 

“Many don’t have any telecommunications experience yet come from management and customer service backgrounds.
“They like the idea of being able to offer a personalised service to their customers without worrying about the complexities of running the backend operations of a complicated industry.”

The latest telecommunications providers to join the fold include NZCU in Dunedin, Procomm in Auckland, Necto Communications in Hibiscus Coast, Kingfisher Connexions in Pakuranga and Easytel in Wellington.

 “The feedback that we have been getting from our new service providers is that this is their opportunity to create an investment by building an asset rather than buy a job. 

“It’s more than just work / life balance New Zealanders seek, which used to be the catch-cry of the early naughties,  working is now about creating a safety net for the family to ensure you earn even when you aren’t working, similar to an insurance policy. 

“As a Telcoinabox service provider you can achieve this.  The more customers you accumulate the higher the recurring revenue. You can upsize the potential as far and beyond as you are motivated to do. It’s that easy.”

Telcoinabox is currently in discussions with additional 11potential service providers, which will bring the company’s sign on target beyond their forecasts for this 2010/11 financial year.
Telcoinabox is on track to becoming the largest telecommunications aggregator in New Zealand.

ENDS.

For information, contact Andreina Garofali on +61 (0)410 434 227 for comment, contact Shannon Fisher on +64 (0)21 686 230.

About Telcoinabox New Zealand Telcoinabox is a telecommunications wholesaler, reseller and franchisor which packages telephony products that are distributed through its service provider network. To become a service provider all you need is a phone, laptop, internet connection and entrepreneurial spirit.  Telcoinabox has over 150 service providers worldwide which are individually branded, owned and operated. www.telcoinabox.co.nz

Financial cooperative New Zealand Credit Union (NZCU) South has signed a major telecommunications partnership agreement with Telcoinabox.

This partnership, the first of its kind for a banking institution in New Zealand, will give all 25,000 South Island based members access to more affordable fixed, broadband and mobile phone plans.

“As a co-op we are about offering our members financial support and reducing their telecommunications’ bills is just one way we can help,” says NZCU South CEO Andrew Leys.

“In the wake of the Christchurch disaster we believe more New Zealanders will be seeking ways to consolidate their spending so they can put money towards relief efforts.

“To encourage members to take up the offer we are stopping all transaction fees on any of their accounts with us. If the take up is great, the same offer will be extended to all 180,000 members nationwide.”
Telephone packages will be released to South Island members this April.

Member to member mobile call rates will be as little as 15 cents/minute and 35 cents/minute to non-members.
Telcoinabox NZ CEO Shannon Fisher says that since they opened the doors to organisations to become their own telecommunications reseller late last year, more companies like NZCU are realising the immediate win-win benefits.

“We focus on the customer, that’s what we do best and Telcoinabox looks after the backend support and billing. It really couldn’t be easier,” says NZCU South CEO Andrew Leys.

“Our philosophy is about creating a community support network and to continue on this path we are currently exploring power packages for our members based on the same arrangement we have with Telcoinabox.”

To support the Christchurch relief efforts, New Zealand Credit Union nationally has set up the Credit Union Earthquake Appeal which distributes funds through grants to affected members. Loan payment freezes have also been placed on Christchurch based members.
ENDS.

For information, contact Andreina Garofali on +61 (0)410 434 227 for comment, contact NZCU South CEO Andrew Leys +64 (0)29 211 39 53 or Telcoinabox NZ CEO Shannon Fisher on +64 (0)21 686 230.


About NZ Credit Union South is a mutual organisation offering a large range of services especially identified by customers to meet their financial needs. All profits (after providing for necessary reserves and operating costs) are returned to customers through top interest rates on savings, low cost loans, and reasonable fees.
www.nzcusouth.co.nz/about-nzcu-south

About Telcoinabox New Zealand Telcoinabox is a telecommunications wholesaler, reseller and franchisor which packages telephony products that are distributed through its service provider network. To become a service provider all you need is a phone, laptop, internet connection and entrepreneurial spirit.  Telcoinabox has over 150 service providers worldwide which are individually branded, owned and operated. www.telcoinabox.co.nz

MEDIA RELEASE                       
21 February 2011

Telcoinabox New Zealand on track for expansion with Auckland office opening and two new appointments

Telecommunications wholesaler and franchisor, Telcoinabox New Zealand has opened a new office in Auckland this month to support their current growth and prepare for further business expansion.

With this opening come two new appointments, ex-TelstraClear Wholesale account director, Greg Theron, as business manager and telecommunications entrepreneur and deputy chair/vice president for CanTeen New Zealand, Guy Alexander, as business development executive.

“We are now ready for our next phase of growth to build upon our current success. By adding to the team with strong industry experience and practical hands on knowhow puts us in an advantageous position to further expand into the New Zealand market,” says Telcoinabox New Zealand CEO, Shannon Fisher.  

“Enquiries to become a Telcoinabox service provider are pouring in thick and fast and in two-months we have already signed ten new service providers.

“If we continue to grow at this pace we could potentially become the largest telecommunications aggregator in New Zealand which would be a phenomenal achievement.”

Greg Theron has over 11 years experience in the telecommunications industry and joined Telcoinabox because of the simplified business model.

“Telcoinabox for me has it all. It’s set up for success. After years of talking about developing systems with other industry players and then finding a business that has done it, is incredible.

“Telcoinabox is the only telecommunications company that hides the complexity of the industry and simplifies the infrastructure.”

Greg and Guy joined the company this week and have been at the Australian and New Zealand Operations Centre (ANZOC) in Sydney for training.

Greg will be in charge of setting up the service providers on the Telcoinabox network, ensuring they are executing their business plans and achieving their goals and Guy will lead the marketing of new recruitment.

Within two years Guy built a telecommunications company from nothing and sold it to an NZX listed company. CEO Shannon Fisher believes Guy’s savvy and contagious enthusiasm will be a positive influence for potential service providers. 

“My goal this year is to sign on 20 new service providers by the end of the year. Based on the number of enquiries pouring in we are definitely on track to meet it,” says Guy Alexander.

Shannon is particularly excited about the future but would like to continue to see more female interest.

“We recently signed a mother and son team. They joined because it gives them the freedom to juggle family with business and manage their work life balance at their own pace. This is the perfect combination for most women and our aim is to help more women see that they can have the cake and eat it too.”

Greg and Guy will be full-time and based at the new Takapuna office.

ENDS.

For information, contact Andreina Garofali on +61 (0)410 434 227 for comment, contact Shannon Fisher on +64 (0)21 686 230.

About Telcoinabox New Zealand Telcoinabox is a telecommunications wholesaler, reseller and franchisor which packages telephony products that are distributed through its service provider network. To become a service provider all you need is a phone, laptop, internet connection and entrepreneurial spirit.  Telcoinabox has over 150 service providers worldwide which are individually branded, owned and operated. www.telcoinabox.co.nz

Media release

7 February 2011           

 Telcoinabox makes acquisition the focus for 2011

• 2011 the year of innovation and reinvigoration for the business

• Three opportunities add rapid business growth potential for service providers and core business –

1.   micro-acquisition

2.  new data product releases

3. easier entry to become a service provider

Telecommunications wholesaler and franchisor, Telcoinabox, has launched into 2011 with a focus on micro-acquisition to ramp up service providers’ individual businesses.

Acquisition targets will be small to medium telecommunications companies, in particular Internet Service Providers (ISPs), experiencing sluggish business growth and margin squeeze. 

Telcoinabox CEO Paul Line says 2011 is the year of innovation and reinvigoration for the business.

“With consolidation of ISPs accelerating we see an opportunity for our service providers to acquire players considered too small for the larger ISPs to approach.” 

Telcoinabox has created a dedicated team to work on the initiative and has employed external business brokers to facilitate service providers’ negotiations with potential takeover targets.

Telcoinabox will also provide the financing to ensure deals get across the line efficiently.

 “Devising innovative ways to build our service providers’ businesses is important to both their wealth creation and ours. When they succeed so do we.

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

A pilot of the strategy has already started to pay dividends with the recent acquisition of Mobile Office, by Airlie Beach service provider Voice2net. A number of other acquisitions are currently under negotiation.   

Also in store for the business in 2011 is the launch of a new suite of pre-packaged ‘over-the-top’ data products.  Following the recently signed deal with Engin to provide VoIP and hosted voice services, Telcoinabox will extend its product suites to include web-hosting, remote back-up, anti-virus, VPN and net filtering services.

“Developments in data services’ convergence and commoditisation mean it’s critical we focus on the revenue and margin per connection that we can drive from additional services provided over the underlying network.  A further benefit should come from improved network efficiency and utilisation of unused capacity during off-peak periods.”

Mr Line adds that capitlising on their existing infrastructure is part and parcel of the company’s strategy of being the ‘one-stop-shop’ for their customers, with the added bonus of a one-bill solution for a diverse range of products and services.

The first wave of off-the-shelf data products will be available in the third quarter of 2011.

In addition to acquisition and new product launches, the underlying thrust of the business plan for 2011 is to ramp up the number of Telcoinabox service providers.

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

“Our recruitment strategy this year is to reduce the current barriers to entry. Areas we’re looking at include accreditation of our franchise model by the big four banks, vendor financing new franchisees and outbound targeting of specific niche markets, such as PABX suppliers and maintainers.

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

“Satisfaction management is our 2011 goal. We are in effect consultants to our service providers. When service providers are well equipped to grow their businesses then it’s a win-win for everyone.”

For comment, please contact: Telcoinabox CEO Paul Line on 0409 752 582. For information, contact Andreina Garofali on 02 9130 5747 or 0410 434 227.

About Telcoinabox Telcoinabox is a telecommunications wholesaler, reseller and franchisor which packages telephony products that are distributed through its wide franchisee and service provider network nationally. Telcoinabox has over 110 service providers which are individually branded, owned and operated. Franchisees are located in NSW, QLD, VIC, SA NT, WA and Tasmania. www.telcoinabox.com.au