Bundled communication services big with businesses: most U.S. small and medium businesses prefer to buy bundled communications solutions from a single provider.

• Author: Barbour, Tracy

Bundled communications packages for business customers are commonplace among U.S. telecommunications firms. These all-in-one packages offer everything from local and long-distance voice, to mobile voice and broadband Internet access.

The trend also is prevalent in major telecommunication companies in Alaska. For example, Alaska Communications Systems (ACS) offers On ACS for Small Business and Internet Anyplace bundles. General Communications Inc. (GCI) has its latest release: Ultimate Package for Business.

WHY BUNDLING IS BIG

Given the positive research about bundling, there's little wonder why prepackaging services are so popular with companies. Most U.S. small and medium businesses prefer to buy bundled communications solutions from a single provider, according to a recent report from AMI-Partners, a leading consulting firm that specializes in IT, Internet, telecommunications and business services market intelligence. The report, 2005-2006 U.S. SMB Telecommunications Market Overview and Assessment, shows that 62 percent of small businesses say they would rather purchase bundled communications solutions, while for medium businesses it's 54 percent.

The most popular bundle for business customers is a "triple play" comprised of local, long-distance and high-speed Internet access services, reports AM I-Partners. Wireless voice service is fast becoming a highly requested fourth component.

The key benefit of bundled communication services is price, according to a Forrester Research March 2006 study. Forrester Research is an independent technology and market research company that identifies and analyzes trends in technology and their impact on business. The bulk of North American small businesses-companies with six to 99 employees-purchase communication services in bundles to minimize cost and benefit from the convenience of dealing with a single provider, reports Forrester's 2006 SMB Telecom and Networking Trends study.

In addition, more than two-thirds of small businesses buy bundled communication services, the study revealed. Small businesses are satisfied with their bundled communication providers. And satisfied small businesses resist changing their bundled communication services providers.

These research findings ring true with ACS, a leading integrated communications provider in Alaska. ACS provides communications services to three-fourths of the state's population, offering local telephone service, wireless, Internet, long-distance and...