OneMain.com Tuesday signed
an agreement with New Edge
Networks Inc in an effort to expand its national broadband services.
The agreement extends OneMain.com’s reach throughout
the continental U.S. It’s anticipated that the agreement will be the
springboard for OneMain.com’s digital subscriber line, wireless and cable
Internet access growth. The company currently has more than 5,000 broadband
customers, primarily made up of a customer base in rural and remote areas
of the nation.
Mike Read, OneMain.com president and chief operating officer, said the
agreement extends the company’s reach and ability to serve the growing
demand for high-speed Internet access.
“Our agreement with New Edge Networks strengthens OneMain.com’s broadband
strategy and our ability to give our customers a greater choice in Internet
service,” Read said. “Working with New Edge Networks, we will be better
equipped to meet the growing demand for broadband service in our markets,
especially in those less populated areas under-served by other national
providers. Simultaneously, OneMain.com remains committed to delivering
high utility local content combined with quality connectivity.
New Edge Networks was awarded competitive local exchange carrier status in
Arizona and Arkansas last week. With New Mexico certification pending, the
broadband access provider has a potential footprint to operate in 48
states, and it is looking to expand its reach beyond the DSL access it
currently provides in 15 states.
According to Brian McDonald, New Edge Networks vice president of marketing,
the two companies have a similar goal of bringing high-bandwidth access to
the smaller markets throughout the country.
“New Edge Networks is excited to work with OneMain.com particularly because
we share a commitment to serve smaller markets and semi-rural communities,”
McDonald said. “Working with OneMain.com, we are better able to expand our
reach and deliver the many exciting benefits of broadband service and help
bridge the digital divide.”
OneMain.com’s expansion strategy has been to secure agreements with
backbone providers to extend its high-speed reach. It also has similar
agreements with companies like Covad
Communications Group , Verizon Communications
,
SBC Communications, Inc. , and QWest Communications
.
Earthlink Network Inc., announced early in
June that it plans to acquire OneMain.com and its customer base by the end
of the year.
