eBucks.com offers Internet access

By Tracy Burrows for eBucks
Johannesburg, 23 Apr 2002

First National Bank`s eBucks.com Web site is now offering its customers reduced-rate Internet access as part of its eBucks services. The Internet access, powered by ICL, is available at a rate of around R55 (or 550 eBucks) per month.

Janine Hills, eBucks marketing manager, says the service is in its first trial week, and has already had a take-up of 100, without any marketing having taken place. "It`s a very exciting offer. We feel it is great value for money."

Hills describes the new service as a value-add for customers, rather than a major new business venture for eBucks.com. "Through this Internet access offering, we are hoping to assist in growing Internet usage throughout SA."

Jacques Celliers, head of new business development for eBucks.com, says the new offering is not intended to compete with established Internet service providers in the market. "With the service aimed at home users only, we are not expecting a large customer base," he says.

The cut-rate offer is available immediately to the entire eBucks customer base of 352 000 people. It is available in 6-month or 12-month access packages, both of which have a set-up fee of R69 (eB 690). The service includes unlimited dial-up Internet access, 5 e-mail addresses with 5MB of space per address and 10MB of personal Web space.

Celliers says the new offering is branded as both an eBucks and ICL product. "Although the product is purchased through eBucks, customers are expected to register with ICL to gain access to the service in the eBucks Shop, which is both online and offline via a call centre," he says. The e-mail addresses will bear the eBucks branding, for example: joe@ebucksmail.com.

Celliers says the move differs from the Absa Internet offering. "The free service Absa provided was part of a large marketing drive aimed at acquiring Absa customers," he says.

"The eBucks.com Internet offering is intended to reward customers for doing business with our partners, including FNB, MTN, Wesbank and others. Providing customers with added benefits such as this affordable Internet and e-mail access will definitely assist in this effort."