E-Channel: Wholesale Startup Offers E-channel Bundles

Posted: 11/2000

Wholesale Startup Offers E-channel Bundles
By Josh Long

Unified Signal Holding Inc. (www.
unifiedsignal.com) a Washington-based startup, is offering communications
resellers and agents the ability to offer a package of bundled communications
services through a turnkey web-based service delivery platform.

Launched in October, the company currently is offering cellular service
nationwide.

Other services expected to come online include long distance, paging and
Internet by December, and local telephone and energy service at an undisclosed
date.

Unified Signal’s web-based platform automates the acquisition process,
allowing customers to search and compare services and rate plans. It also walks
the customer through the activation process, including equipment selection,
online credit checking, credit card or electronic funds transfer (EFT)
processing, and billing account creation. Customers can manage their bills on
the web or by mail.

The Unified Signal platform has been in development for two years with the
assistance of DMR Consulting (www.dmr.com)
and ASC Billing Solutions Inc. (www.ascglobe.com)

The company’s network is being established through alliances with several
national and regional carriers. Chairman and CEO Paris Holt, a graduate of the
Rochester Institute of Technology, says the new company’s wholesale platform,
which offers nationwide services and a delivery system, provides a turnkey
option for companies that want to expand their portfolios or explore new
distribution channels.

The company’s CEO is well informed in the wireless and reseller market. Holt
is a 10-plus year veteran in the communications industry, where he has held
management positions at resellers and wireless carriers. Holt cofounded Ameritel
Communications Inc., a division of USCI Inc., where he negotiated contracts with
wireless carriers in order to create a nationwide wireless reseller. According
to Holt’s biography, 80,000 wireless subscribers joined in six months, rendering
Ameritel the third largest reseller in the country.

Holt also diversified distribution channels, developed brand identity, and
created and managed all national marketing and advertising campaigns for
Ameritel. He also spearheaded corporate finance initiatives.

Holt held management positions at Frontier Cellular and Southwestern Bell (www.swbell.com)
earlier in his career.

Unified Signal is backed by Coldstream Capital (www.coldstream.com)
ASC Billing and other private investors. The company has completed one round of
financing and is seeking a second.