Alternet Systems Inc has executed a letter of intent agreement to merge with TekVoice Communications Inc of Miami, Florida. TekVoice is a telecommunications services company with operations in North and South America whose revenues were US$3 million in 2006, and which has been forecasting significant growth in 2007.

The combined entity will be called Alternet Systems Inc and its primary business will be to acquire and develop wireless broadband networks in underserved countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, delivering voice, data and content services to customers in these regions. Alternet will offer a portfolio of next-generation wireless broadband and telecom solutions for government, business, schools, hospitals and community residents.

“Improving education and health services through broadband Internet access is a key component of raising the living standards in developing countries. The other major component is affordable and accessible telecom services," said Patrick Fitzsimmons, President of Alternet. “Combining Alternet with TekVoice is the ideal strategy to achieve our goal of offering a complete wireless telecommunications solution for this growing market.”

The combined company offering intends to provide cost-effective, wireless telecom solutions which have the greatest impact in the developing regions of the world, such as Latin America. Low Internet-usage rates in Latin America are even well below other developing countries, specially compared to Asia. The risk of further widening the digital divide in Latin America is a concern shared by both public and private sector entities, particularly as an inhibitor to sustained, long-term growth.

TekVoice CEO Henryk Dabrowski summarises the new company’s strategy for Latin America as follows: “The combination of Alternet's proprietary software systems with TekVoice VoIP-based telecommunications offerings, supplied over a cost-effective network platform, will significantly improve the way rural telecom services, education and medical information technology are delivered in the future.”

more info: www.alternetsystems.com