PCCW Looks To Net Asia Online's Hong Kong Customers
HONG KONG, CHINA, Nov 05, 2001 (Newsbytes via COMTEX) -- The carving up of
former Asia-Pacific Internet services provider Asia Online continues with
liquidators in Hong Kong last week agreeing to send stranded customers to
Pacific Century CyberWorks [NYSE:PCW] in order to keep their Web sites online.
Asia Online ran out of cash, prompting the liquidation of subsidiaries around
the region. The Internet services group's failure has prompted a rush of
activity in markets from Hong Kong to New Zealand as Internet service providers
attempt to snap up the group's former customers.
An agreement inked late last week between Asia Online liquidators KPMG and
Pacific Century CyberWorks (PCCW) will deliver the latter company new Web
hosting customers and dial-up Internet access subscribers.
The Asia Online liquidator has agreed to refer Hong Kong Internet data center
clients to PCCW Powerbase Data Center Services.
PCCW spokeswoman Irene Ho told Newsbytes dial-up Internet access subscribers
have been invited to join PCCW's Netvigator ISP as part of the deal with
Powerbase.
"The agreement involves an exclusive referral of 10,000 former Asia Online Hong
Kong customers (including both corporate and individual) to Powerbase," Ho said.
The agreement lasts through November, and covers technical support during the
transfer process and uninterrupted service.
PCCW would not disclose the financial terms of the deal.
Of course, the move is up to each former Asia Online customer, who may wish to
find another Web host or ISP. Asked about the likely gain in subscribers, Ho
said it was premature to comment on the likely increase in PCCW's own customer
base as a result of the deal.
PCCW earlier this year made a similar arrangement to snap up customers of
IAsiaWorks (HK) Ltd when that company closed its Hong Kong operations in July
2001.
The company got about 150 Internet data center customers. They have since
contributed 1.5 million Hong Kong dollars ($192,303) in additional monthly
income to Powerbase, Ho revealed.
Last week, Esurf Wireless announced the acquisition of Asia Online's New Zealand
assets and customer base. In neighboring Australia, Australian Internet service
provider OzEmail signed an agreement to provide access to Australian Asia Online
dial-up subscribers.
Asia Online is on the Web at asiaonline.net .
PCCW Powerbase is online at pbase.net .
By Adam Creed
Reported By Newsbytes.com, newsbytes.com .
quotes.freerealtime.com
Copyright 2001 The Washington Post Company
KEYWORD: HONG KONG, CHINA
SUBJECT CODE: WIRES ONLINE
BUSINESS
ASIA |
