News

Newspaper vendor eyes kiosks in Malaysia

August 4, 2003

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- Satellite Newpapers Worldwide wants to offer readers in Malaysia the latest editions of more than 125 newspapers at the touch of a button.

The company, which in four years has expanded operations to about 30 countries, is in the process of obtaining a license to sell its international newspaper kiosk in Malaysia, according to a report in The Star. Each kiosk costs about $8,000, the report said.

The kiosk is an interactive newspaper-vending unit that allows a user to purchase newspapers from over 50 countries and have a copy digitally printed within two to three minutes.

Ralph Vooys, vice president of publisher relations at Satellite Newspapers Worldwide, said in the report that there are about 120 self-service newspaper-vending kiosks worldwide that accept credit cards.

The machines are deployed in hotels, airports and convention centers: any place that has large numbers of international business travelers and tourists.

The newspapers are priced from $4 (U.S.) to about $5.50 for 48 pages.

Satellite Newspapers is targeting airlines and is expected to announce within the week a deal to provide digital newspapers to a major Middle East carrier, the report said.