NYARM President Len Jones and Peter Fisher, Netlink, Inc.

FAMILY RUN TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY CARVES NICHE IN COMPETITIVE FIELD BY BEING A ONE-STOP SHOP

While the giant telecommunication companies are fighting for market share to wire commercial and residential buildings with sophisticated telecommunications services, one firm has made a name for itself as a one-stop shop that building owners and managers can rely on.

Peter Fisher, president of Netlink Corp., a New York-based Internet Service Provider (ISP), through his alliance with Verizon, has carved a niche in this highly competitive field by bundling the most sophisticated telecommunications services, including high-speed Internet access, into one package.

Peter said, "This completely integrated system from a well known company gives property owners and managers the opportunity to offer tenants turnkey, hassle-free telecommunications access at a reduced price. These owners and managers want to concentrate on running their businesses without worrying about the latest developments in technology."

Netlink’s package includes local and long distance telephone service, direct television, E-mail and high-speed Internet connectivity using high-speed T-1 digital lines. Once the installation is completed, the firm monitors the customer’s service around-the-clock.

Peter said, "All of these services come on one bill to the subscriber. It is also less expensive than getting these services on a piecemeal basis."

The program has already paid dividends for Peter’s company. Peter said his market penetration is considerably above the industry average of five to six percent. While he began by servicing the Greater New York and New Jersey areas, he plans to take his company national in the next six to 12 months.

Peter decided to open up his own agency while working for TIL Systems, a Canadian computer hardware and software company, as a Manhattan sales representative.

"I saw a growing need among businesses in the U.S. for high speed circuits that provide faster access to the Internet. It was an opportunity to open a one-stop shop that tenants could rely on for all of their telecommunication needs," he said.

When he launched Netlink in 1994, he began by wiring many commercial sites in Manhattan including 99 Park Avenue, 410 Park Avenue and 211 East 43^rd Street. Netlink’s clients represented a spectrum of business users from charitable organizations and embassies to traditional law and accounting firms.

After awhile he also realized that there was a demand for sophisticated telecommunication services at the residential level, particularly among co-op and condo owners who work at home.

"People want immediate high-speed Internet access. They are tired of the problems with America Online. They want the same advanced voice and data capability that they have in their offices," he said. Peter also pointed out that offering sophisticated telecommunication services gives landlords an edge when they are selling apartments to prospects.

Peter believes that the demand, especially in the residential market, will continue to grow as tenants increasingly use their computers for electronic shopping, banking and other daily tasks.

Peter’s wife Helen has been running the financial and residential sides of the company since January, 1998 as chairman. "She is the most creative and best businessperson I know," said Peter.

Peter attributes his business success on the strong work ethic he got from his father who was a stone mason in Canada. "We traveled around Canada as he looked for work, and just like him, I also did some manual jobs like pouring asphalt," he said.

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