An Atlanta-based telecommunications firm, Dow Networks, has bought Avoxi Communications, the Jamaican voice-over Internet telephony provider in a deal completed at the end of December, Dow's officials have confirmed.

The sale price was not disclosed, but officials suggested it included cash and equity. Avoxi, which has been in operation since 2002, is the largest Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) provider in Jamaica, with bandwidth and VoIP services to call centres hotels and other businesses.

VoIP is a method for taking analog audio signals, and converting them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet. In Jamaica telecom operators with the proper licences and equipment can offer this service. VoIP services represents another critical service in the local telecommunications market, estimated to be worth $1.5 billion per year.

Privately-held Dow provides VoIP services to international businesses and call centres in over 30 countries. Incorporated in 2001, Dow Networks has branch offices in Panama, Costa Rica, South Africa and now Jamaica.

David Wise, chief executive officer at Dow Networks, said that the thriving telecommunications market in Jamaica and the availability of technically proficient workers were major factors which prompted the acquisition.

"We see the call centre business starting to develop in Jamaica and also we see Jamaica as one of the (best) places to build a business because of the high unemployment and the skill set of some of the workers are very high," said Wise.
Wise believes that the Jamaican acquisition provides a good business opportunity for Dow.

"We are just excited about continuing to grow the operations in Jamaica," he said. "Avoxi has removed most of the challenges because they have been in business for almost three years. I think our biggest hurdles will be in getting sales communication services into the island. and being able to find good sales people that are going to be able to help us sell our products."

Since the liberalisation of the Jamaican telecommunications market in 2000 - with the sale of cellular licences to Digicel and Centennial Jamaica - many companies, such as Avoxi, InfoChannel Limited and Cool Cards Limited have emerged as major industry players.

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