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ISPs to change telecoms as telephony system opens way to low-cost calls

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As long-distance telecommunications undergoes global deregulation, the next challenger to the Sprints and MCIs of this world may be a small, United States-based Internet company.

The Global Reach Internet Consortium, also known as Gric, is an Internet service provider with one key asset - a membership of more than 300 ISPs.

Subscribers to these ISPs can travel and access the Internet through a local call by dialing a fellow Gric ISP's phone number.

Gric makes money by taking a small slice of the revenue earned from 'roaming' Internet users, which is also split between the home and host ISP.

But Gric has even bigger money-making plans. By leveraging this ISP network, Gric plans to announce early this month that it will offer Internet telephony to subscribers to member ISPs.

The idea of picking up a handset, dialing long-distance and not worrying about exorbitant IDD toll charges is very appealing.

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