New low-cost ISPs enter market as Absa offer ends

Johannesburg, 03 Jun 2002

Two more low-cost Internet services have been launched to fill the gap left by Absa`s withdrawal of its free Internet offering. Bucknet, a division of Atreyu Enterprises, is making its Internet services available to the public at a rate of R55 a month, while Ananzi has launched a budget Internet service that starts at just over R48 a month.

Bucknet Internet access was previously available only to Atreyu`s value-added clients. However, Bucknet chief executive Ralf Muller says the service is now available for home users, small businesses and non-profit organisations, to help fill the gap left when Absa`s free Internet offering ended last week.

Muller says: "We feel that the current competition is pricing itself out of reach of home users and small businesses. Bucknet will offer Internet access and five mailboxes for the basic rate of R55 a month, with cut-rate ISDN lines, leased-lines and Web development and hosting also available. We will also make available special offers to stock traders, schools and non-profit organisations."

Muller says Bucknet expects to sign up around 15 000 subscribers in the next two months, with a target of around 100 000 within six months. He adds: "Unlike some banks, medical aid schemes and insurance companies that are diverting from their core business, Bucknet has its roots firmly in the IT market and is therefore able to offer a better and more stable internet service."

He says the Bucknet service does not make use of a dialler program and does not carry advertisements or banners. Users without a modem can buy one from Bucknet at discounted prices, while routers, Linux/Unix servers and any other equipment needed for leased-lines can be purchased or rented from Bucknet.

Ananzi Mail has also announced a budget offering, to be introduced on Friday, 7 June. Ananzi says it aims to provide a reliable dial-up Internet service, which it believes adds significant value to users of the current Ananzi Mail e-mail platform.

The service includes unlimited analogue Internet access and an unlimited number of e-mail boxes. Rates start at R580 for a 12-month subscription, to R165 for a three-month subscription.

Ananzi says the offering is stripped of value-adds such as telephonic support, but the service will offer full support via e-mail.

New low-cost Internet offerings have also been brought to market recently by Get a Life.com, Woza, Absa, Medscheme and First National Bank`s eBucks.com.