INFOTE goes for Cyprus businesses

— Voice and on-line services to supplement trade directory

INFOTE, the voice, online and publishing division of the Greek telecoms giant OTE, has already expanded to the Cyprus market and plans to introduce two novel services here in the near future – the Talking Pages 11822 and the Nicosia Daily Yellow Pages.

At the same time, the company is looking to incorporate Cyprus in its regional plans for online information services in south east Europe, while developing specialised Internet portals such as the Greek Business Network (www.greekbiz.com).

It is also building up its portfolio of print and electronic directories, specialising by sector, such as the Greek Yellow Pages for the hotel, restaurant and entertainment industries, the Epicheirein B2B business directory, pocket guides, as well as a host of regional and national directories under the “xo” (Chrysos Odigos) brand.

The 11822 voice service will soon start its operations in Cyprus that will give callers a comprehensive package that will go beyond the basic inquiries directory on offer. Initially, the service will be available for Nicosia with prospects to cover other towns soon after.

Ioannis Vasilaras, INFOTE’s Managing Director, said that his company will announce its pricing policy for this new service once the Telecom Regulator has approved the new public rates for all providers.

However, he hinted that INFOTE’s charge will be “very competitive” to that offered today. CYTA charges 18c per call for directory inquiries.

INFOTE was set up by OTE in October 2001 with a dowry of 12.5 mln euros and is presently valued at 180 mln.

Turnover reached 59.3 mln euros last year, up 6.2% from 2003, while the figure for this year is estimated to reach 66 mln euros with projected pre-tax profits of 18.8 mln euros.