EUnet, the leading provider of Internet solutions in Europe has signed an agreement with the GISAM chain regarding the launch of a new Internet concept in Sweden. GISAM, which consists of 28 graphical companies all over Sweden, will, starting in the beginning of 1997 establish local 'Internet villages' in the whole country.

Electronic Marketplace

The Internet villages are electronic markets with a strong local flavour. This means that each and every market place is designed to represent a typical Swedish village with houses, streets and squares. The visitor may 'walk' around in the virtual village just as in a real village. In the shopping centre you will find stores, in the amusement street you will find cinemas and restaurants.

The concept has been developed by EUnet Media A/S in Norway, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of EUnet International. The original Nettvik site for Norway has proved immensely popular with Internet users and provides extensive benefits to the companies present there. In 1995 the site won the award in Norway for best Web site. Now, with this announcement, companies and individuals in Sweden will be able to benefit from the Nettvik concept.

"The Internet is a graphical product that is a natural part in the mix of services that we offer our customers," says Peter Bahlsten, Managing Director of GISAM. "While the Internet is today regarded at as a global phenomenon it has to be relevant to the average person, who relates at a local level. By providing content from Cyberspace and making it relevant at the local level, it will be easier to understand, also for those that aren't computer experts" continues Peter Bahlsten.

Advanced technique

The technique behind the villages is very advanced and is evident when the visitor makes his first to 'click' for more information or to order goods. " We chose EUnet as a supplier due to their long experience of providing advanced IT-solutions and that they where internationally established," says Bengt-Erik Ek, IT-manager at GISAM. By this GISAM means that the enabling technology is as important as the concept itself, as the media used more and more by companies sets high demands on safety, security and accessibility.

Not only Web-pages

"Most companies that are providing Internet services, are plain producers of Web-pages. Many companies are today just publishing one or a few pages but will be aware thatInternet has much more to give in the future," says Peter Bahlsten. "The GISAM/EUnet concept offers, as far as we can see, all types of services such as real time services and database services."

Commercial customers

The concept is only turning to companies. "To be able to offer this category a competitive product, we have to specialise and concentrate on the part where we are at the strongest" says Peter Bahlsten "Internet has previously been associated with youths surfing 24 hours a day, but has now been accepted by organisations, state and companies as a established information carrier" adds Peter Bahlsten

About GISAM AB

• Companies in the chain: 28 average sized graphical companies (print houses)
• Turnover 1995: app. 440 000 000 SEK
• Employees: appr. 480
• Main office: Älmhult
• The chain was started in 1993.

About EUnet

EUnet is Europe's leading commercial Internet Service Provider, offering a full range of Internet solutions and with current geographical coverage of 41 countries. EUnet, which manages its own dedicated network infrastructure, also offers full local support services in each country of operation. Outside Europe EUnet has developed an expanding network of national and regional service providers, with the aim of continually extending the services it offers to customers world-wide.

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