After the bubble, back to reality

The telecom bubble grew and grew, and then it burst. Hundreds of billions of dollars worth of perceived value disappeared into thin air because market hype and overexpansion went far beyond what was really needed by users of voice and data services.

Yet the market is still there, and there is a growing demand for high-speed data services. A number of less ambitious telecom operators are successfully meeting the demand, using non-traditional delivery systems and business models. Acres has been part of a number of successful initiatives, through its new management consulting group, Acres Pacomm.

The full name of this new entity is Acres Pacomm Telecommunications Consulting Group. Its principals bring together over 60 years of senior management and executive experience in the North American telecom industry. It is busy helping to plan a more realistic approach to business opportunities in the telecom sector.

Acres Pacomm has developed a set of proprietary planning tools which effectively address the present situation. They are geo-economic models which, when applied to a regional, provincial or state-wide service area, identify real-life needs and business opportunities. They provide answers to the questions posed by telecom operators and by managers of public utilities. Questions such as:

• Which areas are underserved?
• How many potential customers are in those areas?
• What technologies would best meet their needs?
• How much would it cost to implement those technologies?
• What revenues would result?
• Do competitors exist?
• Could those competitors become partners?
• What economic and social benefits would be achieved?

To date Acres Pacomm has, in two separate assignments, developed telecom broadband strategies for northern and southern Ontario. Most recently we worked with a group of municipal utilities in the province to explore the viability of expanding their high-speed data services.

By examining the fundamentals on both sides of the issue - supply side and demand side - the Acres Pacomm approach creates a clear picture of the potential of existing markets. Opportunities can be prioritized, and investment issues clearly identified.

It's an approach which leads to steady, responsible, and profitable expansion, a solid foundation for economic and social development in the communities served.

For more information, contact John Cameron at Acres Pacomm Telecommunications Group: Tel (416) 542-5810, Fax (416) 542-5801, E-mail jcameron@acres.com Visit us at www.acres-pacomm.com