Iserv Sets Aggressive Pace in Second Half of 2006 For Technology Investment & Expansion
Invests in Connectivity Footprint through 15 Central Offices, 38 Route Miles of Fiber
Grand Rapids, Mich. - December 6, 2006 - The Iserv Co. and the Iserv Technology Group (ITG) today announced the completion of multiple major investments during the second half of 2006 to improve Iserv's technology infrastructure and expand the Company's service area. The investments include the introduction of 15 central offices (existing switching centers that handle phone connections for homes and businesses), and lighting of 38 miles of fiber optic cable in the Grand Rapids area.
Iserv said the infrastructure investments will allow it to more aggressively market and better serve its own direct data connectivity services in West and Southwestern Michigan. The Company added that it is currently developing new products and marketing plans to further leverage the CLEC (competitive local exchange carrier) status of its Holland-based EagleNet affiliate brand.
CLECs can use existing communications infrastructure, such as local central offices, to provide high-speed Internet connectivity to homes and businesses directly without going through a traditional local phone company. EagleNet's CLEC status has permitted Iserv to establish new links in central offices - primarily in Mid- and West Michigan. As a result, businesses and homes in these areas will have additional options for Iserv Digital Broadband, dedicated business-grade connectivity and other services in the weeks to come.
Iserv's newly lit fiber inter-connects 5 critical central offices in the West-Michigan, providing Iserv with SONET protected gigabit communications. The new fiber puts Iserv and its customers at the forefront of secure, reliable technology today, and readily supports tomorrow's innovations.
ITG also announced the acquisition of three Michigan based Internet Service Providers (ISPs) during the period: Holland-based MacNet, Alpena-based Northland Library Center and Trenton-based I-Link International. The acquisitions, done through ITG's Iserv Company, marks ITG's 18, 19 and 20 acquisitions in the past 2 years, and further establishes Iserv as one of the leading independent ISPs in the Midwest. Terms of the transactions were not disclosed.
"We made substantial investments during the period that will allow more homes and businesses to look to Iserv as their trusted local source for high-speed Internet and digital phone today along with additional future services," said Iserv CEO Vic Shepherd. "Our philosophy in this process has been to be a leader in addressing the full range of customer needs while delivering superior speeds often in locations where broadband service may be unreliable or simply unavailable."
"Our new central office locations and additional fiber give us outstanding flexibility in product development and pricing - which means more choices for our customers. We continue to believe that the connectivity market requires a unique commitment to service and innovation not offered by most providers. Iserv will continue to grow by filling that gap."
About The Iserv Co.
Since its beginnings in 1995 as a local ISP, the Iserv Company (www.iserv.net) has grown rapidly as it has expanded the services it provides. Iserv's Tier 1 Data Center is one of the leading facilities of its kind in North America, with redundant and reliable networks, and engineering and design expertise. Iserv's service offerings include Internet and Network Access (Dial-up, Accelerated Dial-up, ISDN, Iserv Digital Broadband, Dedicated Lines, Virtual Private Networks), Data Center Services (Website Hosting, Server Hosting, Application Hosting, Virtual Mail Server), and Website Design and Development.
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