Dennise Williams, Staff ReporterTHE CELLPHONE is not just a tool, it can become a source of opportunity. In our in-depth look at the industry, we sought to propose ways that readers could become earners from the cellular phone.
1. BUYING CABLE & WIRELESS SHARES
WHAT? Of the three cellular network providers, Cable & Wireless Jamaica (C&WJ) is the only one listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange. When you buy shares in the company, you become a part owner and share in the risks and rewards of the business.
WHY? According to financial analyst, Karen Fitz Ritson: "One of the incentives to buy C&WJ shares is that they pay a competitive and an above-market-rate dividend yield. However, I advise potential investors to discuss the full implications of any investment with their licensed broker."
HOW? Contact one of the eleven stock brokers of your choice. All are listed in the Yellow Pages - another product of C&W.
COST: Closing price on Friday, November 11 $1.29 per share.
2. BECOME A C& WJ DIRECT TOP-UP DISTRIBUTOR
WHAT? In partnership with Lascelles Distributors, Cable & Wireless is offering a new service that will open up opportunities for rural entreprenuers. Lascelles' Chief Executive Officer Paul Thomas said 'Direct Top Up' is not only an innovation for C&WJ's customers but a means of providing economic opportunities for small business people.
Mr. Thomas says: "Vendors will be able to buy airtime from wholesalers which they can resell to individuals by direct transfer to the customers' phones. We anticipate that the service will be particularly popular in rural areas where it can be a challenge to distribute traditional phone cards or access card swipes. I see Direct Top Up being able to penetrate into all the little villages and hamlets across the island."
WHY?Customers purchasing talk time via Direct Top Up will have the purchase amount directly credited to their phone. Following each transaction, customers will receive an SMS text message confirming the transaction.
Another feature of Direct Top Up is that customers can buy credit in amounts such as $61 or $75 instead of the traditional $100, $200 or $500 denominations.
HOW? C&WJ and Lascelles are planning to recruit and train at least 1,000 vendors by early 2006.
3. BECOMING A DIGICEL DEALER
WHAT? Digicel offers the opportunity to become either a phone card reseller or a handset dealer.
HOW? To become a Digicel mobile phone dealer, individuals should send a written request to the Digicel Jamaica head office on Grenada Way. Digicel usually conducts feasibility studies to assess the proposed locations and the demand for dealership stores in the specific areas.
Digicel phone card resellers have three entrepreneurial options:
A) DigicelFLEX card vendor: By purchasing cards from one of Digicel's 14 major distributors and reselling to the public, you can become a vendor.
B) StreetFLEX vendor: Individuals interested in becoming streetFLEX vendors should send an application to the FIMI wireless offices. Once approved, FIMI wireless will provide the mobile phone for your streetFLEX operations.
C) FLEX e vendor: Interested flex e vendors should contact Digicel's electronic partner MC Systems. Once the criteria are met, MC systems will link your business to one of the card vending machine distributors so that your machine can be set up to start selling flex e cards from your business.
4. BECOMING A MIPHONE DEALER
WHAT? MiPhone offers the opportunity for new sales and distribution partners in all 14 parishes for its complete wireless suite of products. Their wireless suite of products include mobile phones, high-speed wireless Internet, fixed wireless units and phone cards. According to the company, "Partnering with MiPhone presents opportunities for growth and returns on your investment."
HOW? Company executives say that opportunities exist for:
Established islandwide distributors with core competencies in distribution wishing to diversity. Independent small and medium-size enterprises wishing to add a cash generator to supplement their core business. Entrepreneurs to utilitise CDMA technology to add value to their existing product lines. Independent sales professionals to utilise their existing business network to earn additional income. For additional information on becoming a MiPhone partner please email: dealers@miphone.com
