Internet café start-up Cyberbox Lan Centre is already looking to near triple its seating capacity to meet the growing demands of the market by March 2015.

The company opened in September, after pumping $30 million into what is now being described as a ‘state-of-theart’ Internet facility. But what was considered to be a small start to test the waters is now seen as too small to accommodate the size of the growing market. The Kingston facility currently has a seating capacity of 72; however, partner and Managing Director Tafari Hendricks reckons that the expansion will result in a total of 200 seats and the employment of additional customer service representatives.

“We are looking to acquire the nextdoor building, which is 2,000 squarenew location in May Pen, Clarendon,” Hendricks told the Jamaica Observer yesterday. “However, if both spaces are feasible, then we might just do both.”

The lack of available technology in the rural area solidifies the company’s interest in Clarendon, as students and entrepreneurs continue to face harsh economic times, according to Hendricks.

Cyberbox, which has a staff of 12, currently offers Internet and docucentre services, pc gaming, elearning, team-building facilities and technology-based party facilities. “We are more than just an Internet café, we start from offering Internet service to gaming solutions at birthday parties and casual events,” he said.

The company is now gearing up to launch its services next month and will be targeting primary and secondary schools to take part in its elearning programme. As part of the programme, Cyberbox will allow students to cover the GSAT and CSEC curricula, through interactions with a virtual teacher.

To date, the company has agreements with a number of primary schools and is now reaching out to secondary institutions, including Lister Mair Gilby High School for the Deaf to join the programme. “On a normal level, these specialstudents are sometimes overlooked by society, but when they come to Cyberbox, they make friends with students from other institutions and it builds their self-confidence,” Hendricks said.

What’s more, the facility sees a host of small entrepreneurs and young adults reserving space to conduct businesses. Cyberbox has also seen an increase in the request for private rooms and training areas.

Currently, Cyberbox offers group rates for up to six entrepreneurs hosting business conferences at a cost $140 per hour for each member. This significantly reduces the operational cost of many small entrepreneurs since they will no longer be required to rent virtual office spaces, according to Hendricks.

The company is also contemplating the use of membership cards for individuals wishing to book a service centre for longer periods. “With technology, individuals have limitless possibilities and we want people to get that feeling once they enter the space,” Hendricks said.