Tiscali seeks resellers to flog broadband

Tiscali has set up a UK channel sales division to flog wholesale broadband services to "data centric/technology resellers who provide IT outsourcing solutions including first line support and billing services to SMEs typically employing less than 500 people". Try saying that in one breath.

The ISP estimates that more than 4,000 UK firms recommend - and remotely manage - "general IT and broadband solutions" to SMEs. This channel has been largely ignored by broadband providers, it says. But the SME sector is a great business opportunity: 65 per cent of small UK businesses are hooked up to the Internet, but only 16 per cent use Broadband, according to Oftel's March 2003 figures cited by Tiscali.

Sean Flood, sales and commercial director for Tiscali Business Services, says: "There are over 4,000 companies that recommend and remotely manage general IT and broadband solutions to SME clients. This is a market that has been largely ignored by wholesale broadband providers but it’s a great opportunity for us to support them with their existing clients and in expanding their business." ®