Unlike other ISPs, Live Wire already has a captive subscriber base of around 3,000 in Mumbai through its BBS (bulletin board service). Some of its franchises in the other cities are also converting from a BBS provider to an ISP. Live Wire is promoted by Nanda Netcom Pvt which started a BBS in 1989 much before VSNL introduced net services in 1995.

A BBS operates like the internet but on a smaller scale and in a more controlled environment. The popularity of BBSs have diminished due to the emergence of the internet. FIDO, a worldwide network of 35,000 BBSs, is still in existence. The Live Wire brand is present in 10 cities. However, not all of them will convert to ISPs. "The costof infrastructure is very steep for small players. Not all of them can afford a bank guarantee of Rs 20 lakhs," said CEO Suchit Nanda. He estimates the minimum conversion cost for a large BBS would be Rs 1 crore and for a new ISP Rs 4 crore.

BBS providers in Baroda, Vapi, Pune, Rajkot and Vizag are currently at various stage of readiness to offer ISP services. Existing BBS subscribers can subscribe to the internet by paying a conversion cost of Rs 1,750 for 100 hours, Rs 3,750 for 250 hours and Rs 6,000 for 500 hours. The pending hours will be credited to their internet account. New users can also subscribe at the same rate. The BBS will be offered as a value-add to them.

With these rates, Live Wire will be one of the least priced ISPs. Its prices are around 15 per cent lower than existing VSNL and MTNL rates. Surfing between 12 midnight and 7 am will be 50% lower, and between 2 and 5 am free of charge.

E-commerce centre in city
MUMBAI: Residents of Hiranandani Gardens in Powai, a Mumbaisuburb, can soon place orders and buy merchandise from shops within the complex using the internal telephone network. These service will not be charged although users pay a monthly fee to be connected to the building network. Orders can also be placed through the internet. Payment will be on delivery. The service will be offered by Nanda Netcom Pvt Ltd who run Live Wire Net!. "It will be test bed for a bigger project. Based on the response we will look at expanding it to surrounding areas like IIT and Ghatkopar," said Nanda.

Initially, the service will be limited to Live Wire internet subscribers for trace ability reasons, he said. Anyone who places an order can be traced because they are a registered user of the ISP.