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Cyber cafes have resolved their existential dilemma. They're turning cool. Atleast the one's owned by Dishnet, BPL and Sify. Is it only a net browsing centre (NBC) for these firms, or a networked physical platform in the cyberworld. Dishnet has been changing the rules of the game in establishing Net centres across the country and it should now aim at being an end-2-end solution providers. Today though the business model in this area revolves with 102 hubs across the country. Our research revealed that the standard Dishnet model is about 36 Pc's connected to a 2-mb leased line on DSL Broadband technolgy housed in about 1500-2000 sq. feet.
But soon net access is going to be a commodity, hence Dishnet should be looking at fisrst of all setting up as many hubs as the market demands. It is not only about altruism that goes behind our suggestion, the more people experience its service first hand and are happy with it, the more the chances of their opting for the same physical platform even at their homes and their offices. It should look at these hubs as a breeding ground. But wait a minute....others are bound to follow in and infact are on their way such as the Sify Drome (hub). It should aim at getting these customers not only for chatting and browsing but to perform transactions and why forget the e-money concept which netwala and fabmart already have in place. It is nothing but digitising currency. These hubs, can thereby become a physical presence for different wesites and other relevant clients and create some sought of a payment gateway. TOP
How long does it take to create some sought of a joint platform....since Dishnet already has its own platform in place and is in process of forming communities in their net browsing centres. A joint platform would be if Dishnet could get Banks to set up their ATM facilities, tie up with coffee companies to set up coffee venidng machines and coffee parlours. How about fabmart having its own counter at these hubs or Pepsico or even MTV selling its clothings and other accessories.
Apart from access charges and franchisee fees revenues can flow in from promotions and services these hubs offer to customers and dotcoms and also relevant brick-and-mortar firms. Few of these could be bazzee.com, go4i.com, fabmart. Ultimately, it is only Dishnet's NBC's which can play a physical presence for different sites and relevant clients. Similar revenues would flow in from the commsision from e-money players, who is interested in disclosing his credit card numbers on the net. It is only the digitization of currency in the form of e-money which at the moment seems ot be safe. Dishnet should start leveraging this concept on its centres to attract more customers.
Recommendations for value added services: smart office on hire, Education and training, Games, Contact points for Dotcoms, Retailing Merchandised goods and relevant products. TOP
Dishnet should ultimately aim at graduating from an ISP to an ASP. But HOW???? there's a big if to it. Though the mirages are still contemplating this move whether is it a wise move at this stage or is it slightly ahead of its time. coz the time does not seem to be ripe enough for a firm which has a prominent presence in being an ISP to graduate into an ASP. We still wonder who is going to utilise Financial applications or Databases loaded on a central warehouse and pay a fee based on a usage basis. As far as its Broad strategy in Broadband goes, Dishnet sould aim at establishing VPN's (Virtual Private Networks and offer customization). A digital subscriber line (DSL) carries data at mind boggling speeds
Cost benefit Analysis
Type Bandwith Cost/month (Rs.)
Fibre Optic 128 Rs.2,500+
Cable over Modem 128 Rs.1,000+
DSL 128 Rs.1,200+ TOP
Though Dishnet has been in this area of providing broadband services, the true benefits can be realised when it reaches a critical mass for which it would require customization whether it is in terms of providing services to 5 star hotels, or Corporates. It should provide these services in the form of plug- in, so that when ever people in a hotel log in they should get instant access in the form of Data and Voice flow. We are still working on this area how can Dishnet provide this service in the form of seamless connectivity. As in India the Telephone Operator does not allow a connection to a DSLAM (which translates the signals from you machine and takes it to the ISP who then connects you to the internet).so companies that offer broadband and DSL circumvent the telecom operators route and in turn establish their own modem in a central hub.....isn't it slightly confusing. Don't worry, give us time and in a few months we shall be on our way to chat with the CEO of Dishnet who is currently in the USofA leveraging the effect of Technology and using the same concepts as have been prevalent in that continent. Is it a wise move....You shall shortly know this in our upcoming issue of Parchayee.....
Digitization