Broadband provider grows Access with Saise

Wireless broadband operator, Access Providers (APV), has acquired its channel partner, Saise Telecom, to ramp up sales and customer services nationally.

The deal will see APV handing over 19.8 million shares, or a 30 per cent stake, in its business as well as $667,000 in cash. Saise directors, Graeme Kelly and Alex Kontouris, will also join the APV board.

CEO, Keith Ondarchie, said the biggest attraction for purchasing Saise was its experience in selling and marketing business broadband products. The company provides voice and data product suites, along with a billing platform and client services, to a raft of ISPs, integrators and consultants.

"We are a good network manager and owner but we're not strong on the sales side," he said. "They are an excellent channel manager focused on support and development."

The purchase would add about 50,000 new customers and 800 channel partners to the APV database. The company reported $4 million in customer receipts in the year to June 30 but, according to an ASX statement, is predicting a 250 per cent revenue jump in the current financial year.

Saise also boasted of key partnerships with other network vendors, including Telstra GSM and Powertel, Ondarchie said. This would allow APV to provide its existing channel partners and customers with a broader offering including mobile phones, VoIP products and backend systems management.

The two organisations would also work together to produce additional products, he said.

Saise director, Graeme Kelly, said its branding and staff would be retained. The two companies would look to increase channel partners and staff on a state by state basis to provide a more compelling message to the market, he said.

While Saise's channel model was strong in Victoria and to a lesser extent, Sydney, Ondarchie said it would be actively looking to grow its partner base throughout Australia. All current APV partners would be shifted under the Saise umbrella.

The Saise purchase follows APV's acquisition of Online 2000 back in July.