The new deal allows companies using Pacific Internet to send unlimited data between sites with business DSL connections. The plan includes spam and e-mail virus filtering at the server level, and a 99 percent service level guarantee.
Kylie Hutchison, Pacific Internet product manager, told ZDNet Australia the unlimited connection could also be set up between different companies with regular, large bandwidth use, if they were both Pacific Internet customers.
"We're pushing that angle with client/supplier relationships," said Hutchison. "It's also good for franchise companies." The push for this style of business plan came from Pacific Internet's channel partners, who saw a demand in the marketplace, according to Hutchison.
In December 2002 Pacific Internet had 4,200 business customers, and Hutchison estimates the number now sits at around 5,000. She cites AC Nielsen research which predicts 70,000 business customers will upgrade from dial-up Internet to DSL.
The broadband marketplace is very competitive, and companies are continually looking for an edge over their opponents. While unlimited broadband access is widely considered to be unfeasible, Pacific Internet has joined with other ISPs in offering flexible plans in an attempt to win customers, such as unlimited downloads on weekends.
