As reported in Phone + Magazine, PAETEC and EarthLink Inc. both are rumored to want to buy CLEC One Communications Corp., which put itself up for sale in September.
Reuters reports, though, that EarthLink is officially in the running. Bids for the Massachusetts-based One were due yesterday and pricing could fall between $500 million and $1 billion. The news service quoted anonymous sources not authorized to speak on behalf of the companies involved.
About three months ago, One Communications put itself up for sale as it risked breaching debt covenants. Since that time, PAETEC has been considered a leading contender for the rival CLEC; the purchase would expand PAETEC’s reach in the northeastern United States, although PAETEC wouldn’t get much in the way of fiber assets. One Communications just sold those holdings to NTELOS.
A One Communications takeover also makes sense for EarthLink. As the dial-up ISP distances itself from a dying business model, another CLEC purchase would form a solid strategy, Current Analysis research director Brian Washburn said. If EarthLink combined its New Edge Networks and DeltaCom businesses with another competitive provider’s resources, the resulting company starts to look like “a very large, super-regional CLEC."
One Communications formed in 2006 after three CLECs merged. But earlier this fall, the economy, debt and other problems pushed the CLEC to hire private equity firm Blackstone Group LP to explore “strategic alternatives" that could include M&A.
One Communications could not comment on the reported sale plans.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Is Hosted PBX (VOIP) right for your business?
Hosted PBX, or Hosted VoIP (Voice over IP), represents the latest wave in phone system technology. With Hosted PBX, the phone system server resides in the provider's data center instead of your office. Voice and data traffic is routed over the public switched telephone network, or PSTN, to the hosted system. Since the system itself is offsite, Hosted PBXs offer Web-based access to configure the system, define how you want calls to flow, view call detail records and billing information, listen to and delete voice mail, and more.
Pros:
Cost-effective way for smaller businesses to get rich VoIP functionality
Minimal IT involvement needed to install solution
Easy, online access to administer features, manage the system, and add/delete users
Scales easily in small businesses (Service-Only/Bundled) or larger businesses
Things to Consider:
System improvements and upgrades are performed on the provider's schedule and may not be available when you want or need them
Upfront costs can be substantial depending on level of VoIP infrastructure needed and phones that need to be purchased
Many providers are start ups, so you'll need to decide if you have concerns about whether they'll go out of business or consolidate with another vendor
Pros:
Cost-effective way for smaller businesses to get rich VoIP functionality
Minimal IT involvement needed to install solution
Easy, online access to administer features, manage the system, and add/delete users
Scales easily in small businesses (Service-Only/Bundled) or larger businesses
Things to Consider:
System improvements and upgrades are performed on the provider's schedule and may not be available when you want or need them
Upfront costs can be substantial depending on level of VoIP infrastructure needed and phones that need to be purchased
Many providers are start ups, so you'll need to decide if you have concerns about whether they'll go out of business or consolidate with another vendor
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Verizon Business rolls out bundled FiOS package
Verizon Solutions for Business Bundle-One Bill, One Term, Competitive pricing.
*Customer with 25 lines or less (comes with Caller ID and Voicemail)
*FIOS or HSI Internet from 3MB to 50MB
*Unlimited National Calling (local, regional and LD)
*Free Website powered by Intuit + Web Listings
*Online Backup and Sharing
*Internet Security Suite
Pricing Example:
FIOS:
5 Lines with Unlimited National Calling (local, regional and LD) w/ Caller ID and Voicemail
Free Website Advertising for a year
Free Web Listings for a year
25/25 Static FIOS
Internet Security Suite
Online Backup and Sharing
$240 a month!
*Customer with 25 lines or less (comes with Caller ID and Voicemail)
*FIOS or HSI Internet from 3MB to 50MB
*Unlimited National Calling (local, regional and LD)
*Free Website powered by Intuit + Web Listings
*Online Backup and Sharing
*Internet Security Suite
Pricing Example:
FIOS:
5 Lines with Unlimited National Calling (local, regional and LD) w/ Caller ID and Voicemail
Free Website Advertising for a year
Free Web Listings for a year
25/25 Static FIOS
Internet Security Suite
Online Backup and Sharing
$240 a month!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Don't fall victim to incorrect carrier billing!
The New Jersey state government has paid more than $3.2 million annually for more than 19,000 phone lines that had gone unused and were no longer needed, according to an audit released Wednesday by the Office of the State Comptroller.
In response to the audit's findings, state agencies have disconnected or suspended each of the lines.
The audit of the state's Office of Information Technology (OIT), also found the state has been renewing some of its major telecommunications contracts for more than a decade without opening the contracts up to competition as required by law.
Don't let this happen to you! Let TelecoWorks help review your current invoices and keep your carrier honest. Don't forget to alert current telecom providers not to auto renew at the end of the contract term. Give yourself the freedom to investigate new technologies and new lower priced providers.
In response to the audit's findings, state agencies have disconnected or suspended each of the lines.
The audit of the state's Office of Information Technology (OIT), also found the state has been renewing some of its major telecommunications contracts for more than a decade without opening the contracts up to competition as required by law.
Don't let this happen to you! Let TelecoWorks help review your current invoices and keep your carrier honest. Don't forget to alert current telecom providers not to auto renew at the end of the contract term. Give yourself the freedom to investigate new technologies and new lower priced providers.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Verizon Business lowers the price of Dedicated Internet Access and Provides Mobile Backup
• Competitive Pricing -T1 Rates as low as $377.50 with Free Adtran Router (available to approx. 75% of the business in the USA)
• Automatic Mobile Broadband Backup: Broadband backup over the Verizon Wireless network provides SMB customers with an attractive alternative to traditional wireline business continuity solutions, offering high speed at a low cost along with rapid deployment. The combined solution features two linked ADTRAN NetVanta 3200 routers - one connected to the primary T1 access source and the other featuring a 3G wireless Network Interface Module designed for use with the Verizon Wireless network. This dual-unit approach provides the flexibility to place the 3G NIM-equipped router wherever cellular coverage is strongest. The IDA circuit and Internet traffic are actively monitored so that the wireless link is activated only as needed.
• Verizon Business' Global IP Network Ranks No. 1 as Most Connected Public Internet Network, for the Tenth Consecutive Year
• Global availability on six continents and 150 countries.
• Quality of Service is available to support mission-critical communications
• 24x7 Monitoring
• Industry leading SLA's
• Automatic Mobile Broadband Backup: Broadband backup over the Verizon Wireless network provides SMB customers with an attractive alternative to traditional wireline business continuity solutions, offering high speed at a low cost along with rapid deployment. The combined solution features two linked ADTRAN NetVanta 3200 routers - one connected to the primary T1 access source and the other featuring a 3G wireless Network Interface Module designed for use with the Verizon Wireless network. This dual-unit approach provides the flexibility to place the 3G NIM-equipped router wherever cellular coverage is strongest. The IDA circuit and Internet traffic are actively monitored so that the wireless link is activated only as needed.
• Verizon Business' Global IP Network Ranks No. 1 as Most Connected Public Internet Network, for the Tenth Consecutive Year
• Global availability on six continents and 150 countries.
• Quality of Service is available to support mission-critical communications
• 24x7 Monitoring
• Industry leading SLA's
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Universal Service Fund Fee makes IP voice even more cost-effective
The Universal Service Fund fee for interstate and International calls will be raised from 11% 4th Quarter 2009 to 15.3% for second quarter 2010. This increase translates to lots of additional cost for call centers and companies with high state to state usage. And, it applies to wireless traffic, too.
The USF -- established by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 -- subsidizes phone service for schools, libraries, rural health care organization and low-income subscribers. This charge has been steadily increasing from 9.5% in the first quarter of 2009.
However, this fee does NOT apply to most carrier-provided IP voice. So, not is a good time to review current telecom expenditures and consider the switch from TDM to IP-based voice services.
The USF -- established by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 -- subsidizes phone service for schools, libraries, rural health care organization and low-income subscribers. This charge has been steadily increasing from 9.5% in the first quarter of 2009.
However, this fee does NOT apply to most carrier-provided IP voice. So, not is a good time to review current telecom expenditures and consider the switch from TDM to IP-based voice services.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Individual vs. Corporate Cell phone ownership
President's Obama's new budget may repeal the Corporate cell phone tax. That may even the playing field from a tax perspective. However, what other liabilities should Corporations consider when deciding whether to own and manage employee cell phones or let the employees make their own cell phone choices?
Individual-liable pros:
*the company is not in the business of buying, replacing, and maintaining phones
* if there’s a problem with a user’s phone, that person has to work with his/her carrier and resolve the problem themselves
* the tax issue goes away
* the legal liability issue lessens, although it’s not completely eradicated. If an employee is using his/her own phone, but it has corporate email, calendar, etc. on it, the company can still be held liable in a lawsuit should the user be involved in an accident while using the phone. The legal folks on the list-serv can elaborate on this one.
Individual-liable cons:
* much less control over the costs of cell phone plans, as you noted below
* freedom of choice can lead you to allowing all kinds of phones, including Droids, iPhones, Pres, Nexus, etc. that may not be designed for an enterprise or workplace. If your team doesn’t have to support these or allow corporate email, etc. on any of them, and you’re only covering voice plan costs, it may not be a problem.
* the hidden “soft costs” of processing expense reports
Corporate-liable pros:
* use a corporate account to realize much better pricing
* no need to process those expense reports
* standardizing on specific phones
Corporate-liable cons:
* you’re in the cell phone business
* tax and legal liabilities
* the responsibility of reviewing and checking invoicing, and making sure users remain within policy boundaries
Individual-liable pros:
*the company is not in the business of buying, replacing, and maintaining phones
* if there’s a problem with a user’s phone, that person has to work with his/her carrier and resolve the problem themselves
* the tax issue goes away
* the legal liability issue lessens, although it’s not completely eradicated. If an employee is using his/her own phone, but it has corporate email, calendar, etc. on it, the company can still be held liable in a lawsuit should the user be involved in an accident while using the phone. The legal folks on the list-serv can elaborate on this one.
Individual-liable cons:
* much less control over the costs of cell phone plans, as you noted below
* freedom of choice can lead you to allowing all kinds of phones, including Droids, iPhones, Pres, Nexus, etc. that may not be designed for an enterprise or workplace. If your team doesn’t have to support these or allow corporate email, etc. on any of them, and you’re only covering voice plan costs, it may not be a problem.
* the hidden “soft costs” of processing expense reports
Corporate-liable pros:
* use a corporate account to realize much better pricing
* no need to process those expense reports
* standardizing on specific phones
Corporate-liable cons:
* you’re in the cell phone business
* tax and legal liabilities
* the responsibility of reviewing and checking invoicing, and making sure users remain within policy boundaries
Friday, January 8, 2010
Start 2010 off right with great Promo Pricing on XO's IPFLEX
IP Flex with Dynamic DIA, LD Packages (higher LD available)
1.5MB IP Flex with 2K Minutes, $435.00 MRC
1.5MB IP Flex with 5K Minutes, $462.00 MRC
1.5MB IP Flex with 10K Minutes, $550.00 MRC
3.0MB IP Flex with 2K Minutes, $735.00 MRC
3.0MB IP Flex with 5K Minutes, $786.00 MRC
3.0MB IP Flex with 10K Minutes, $900.00 MRC
4.5MB IP Flex with 2K Minutes, $959.00 MRC
4.5MB IP Flex with 5K Minutes, $1,012.00 MRC
4.5MB IP Flex with 10K Minutes, $1,124.00 MRC
10MB IP Flex (please see me directly for pricing)
1.5MB IP Flex with 2K Minutes, $435.00 MRC
1.5MB IP Flex with 5K Minutes, $462.00 MRC
1.5MB IP Flex with 10K Minutes, $550.00 MRC
3.0MB IP Flex with 2K Minutes, $735.00 MRC
3.0MB IP Flex with 5K Minutes, $786.00 MRC
3.0MB IP Flex with 10K Minutes, $900.00 MRC
4.5MB IP Flex with 2K Minutes, $959.00 MRC
4.5MB IP Flex with 5K Minutes, $1,012.00 MRC
4.5MB IP Flex with 10K Minutes, $1,124.00 MRC
10MB IP Flex (please see me directly for pricing)
Sunday, January 3, 2010
AT&T wants the Government to allow them to phase out POTs service
All the more reason to get on the VOIP bandwagon! Carriers begin to petition the government to allow them to dismantle "circuit switched" telephone systems. See below:
NEW YORK (Reuters) - AT&T Inc told U.S. telecoms regulators that it should set plans for phasing out older telephone networks if the government wants to make high-speed Internet access available across the country.
U.S.
AT&T, the original U.S. phone operator, described older voice-based "circuit switched" telephone systems and service as "relics of a by-gone era" in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission dated December 21.
It said that the government's goal of 100 percent broadband Internet access is in reach only if resources are moved away from "plain-old telephone service", known in the industry as POTS and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
Otherwise "Congress's goal of universal access to broadband will not be met in a timely or efficient manner if providers are forced to continue to invest in and to maintain two networks," AT&T said in the filing.
"Due to technological advances, changes in consumer preference, and market forces, the question is when, not if, POTS service and the PSTN over which it is provided will become obsolete," AT&T said.
More than 90 percent of the population has access to broadband, according to AT&T the country's biggest operator with expected 2009 revenue of about $123 billion. It said that phone companies will continue to work to cover the rest of the country, but will need some encouragement from regulators.
AT&T was created in the late 19th century to build a communications network that would stretch across the United States, and became the dominant U.S. phone company.
It has gone through multiple changes since then, including a breakup in the 1980s, but remains the largest U.S. telephone company by revenue
NEW YORK (Reuters) - AT&T Inc told U.S. telecoms regulators that it should set plans for phasing out older telephone networks if the government wants to make high-speed Internet access available across the country.
U.S.
AT&T, the original U.S. phone operator, described older voice-based "circuit switched" telephone systems and service as "relics of a by-gone era" in a filing with the Federal Communications Commission dated December 21.
It said that the government's goal of 100 percent broadband Internet access is in reach only if resources are moved away from "plain-old telephone service", known in the industry as POTS and the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).
Otherwise "Congress's goal of universal access to broadband will not be met in a timely or efficient manner if providers are forced to continue to invest in and to maintain two networks," AT&T said in the filing.
"Due to technological advances, changes in consumer preference, and market forces, the question is when, not if, POTS service and the PSTN over which it is provided will become obsolete," AT&T said.
More than 90 percent of the population has access to broadband, according to AT&T the country's biggest operator with expected 2009 revenue of about $123 billion. It said that phone companies will continue to work to cover the rest of the country, but will need some encouragement from regulators.
AT&T was created in the late 19th century to build a communications network that would stretch across the United States, and became the dominant U.S. phone company.
It has gone through multiple changes since then, including a breakup in the 1980s, but remains the largest U.S. telephone company by revenue
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