Comms-Online launches on-line quotations

ElectricNews.Net - August 08 2001

"We are also looking to develop a facility to allow companies to buy a range
of telecommunications equipment and plan to launch an on-line exchange
targeted at emerging European markets," Reid said.

Companies using the service can choose to get a quote from any supplier of a
telecommunication services even those unlisted on the site.

"Rather than setting up multiple meetings and providing multiple sets of
information for multiple suppliers, users of the Comms-Online site can post
one set of requirements and get a straight comparison between selected
suppliers," said Reid.

Comms-Online believes that the service will reduce duplication of work by
companies. Companies can choose between co-location services, bandwidth,
equipment, cellular and managed software services.

However, Reid said the company generated 80 percent of its revenues from its
off-line activities with only 20 percent coming from the Internet. "We see
the Internet as a business tool or as an extension of our business, another
channel," said Reid.

He said the company had come to market at a difficult time but that it may
in some ways have benefited Comms-Online as companies were more careful
about their spending and looking for independent advice.

Comms-Online has around 25 clients that comprise of large SME's and
corporations from a range of sectors.

Reid said that the company had benefited from the experience of companies
that had gone before it in the sector.

Band-x, an Irish on-line exchange selling bandwidth to telecommunications
providers closed earlier in the year because of what it said was a lack of
business in the area.

Comms-Online employs six people in Dublin.