Led by a desire to be online with the rest of the world, thousands of local users have become Internet 'browsers' and 'chatters', grabbing the attention of entrepreneurs such as Meva Gadishaw of Anngel.com.

Started by Gadishaw and her husband Wayne, primarily as an Internet Service Provider (ISP) with less than 100 clients in 1997, www.anngel.com, now boasts more than 4,000 customers serviced by a 24-hour telephone support system.

Operating from its 18 Cargill Avenue base in St. Andrew, Gadishaw said Anngel.com started targeting the Corporate Area before establishing offices in Montego Bay, Portmore, Ocho Rios and St. Mary.

After starting with just two employees, they now have a staff of 18, working shifts. They have added global email access, web page development, hosting and maintenance, along with computer servicing to its menu.

It was inspiration and vision gained at JAMPRO as a productivity analyst responsible for introducing new technology to the business sector which led Gadishaw to set-up her own business.

"I was the service person," she explained. "The intention was to assist small businesses in utilising the Internet by finding new markets beyond Jamaica."

While on the job, Gadishaw realised the Internet was helpful but the service was not accessible to most people.

"I felt at the time the Internet was too expensive," she said. "It was not easy for the man in the street to purchase a US$40 per month access fee for limited usage."

Paying US$5,000 per month to Cable and Wireless to purchase a service for resale to clients was no bed of roses, Gadishaw pointed out.

It took smart marketing, referrals from loyal customers and a big push from the deregulation of the telecommunications industry two years ago to boost Anngel's stock.

Whereas deregulation forced down rates, Anngel.com called on its customers to participate in referral competitions, helping to attract new clients, with last year's prize being a 2000 Hyundai Accent motor car.

With catchy package rates such as unlimited monthly Internet access costing US$20.70 plus a Ja$575 one-time set-up fee, Anngel.com is holding its own, ranked fourth, behind leaders Cable and Wireless, in the field.

Spurred by success, the Gadishaws are in the process of outfitting offices in mid-island May Pen and Mandeville. Being in close proximity to customers, Gadishaw said, puts a human face on the service in addition to wooing new customers on board without them having to dial long distance when accessing the net.

"Other major providers have not chosen to establish themselves in different locations, choosing instead to maintain a head office and distribute their services islandwide. But we have points of presence where the customers can go to if there's a problem. What we are about is customer service," she said.

Web page development and hosting, especially entertainers reaching out to fans, is catching on but dial-up Internet service remains their most popular business. She said this gives credence to their motto ­ 'Making the Internet as accessible and relevant to the man in the street as the daily newspaper'.

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