As seen in the March 12, 2007, COMPTEL Connection

One Communications Corp.
Headquarters: Waltham, MA and Rochester, NY
www.onecommunications.com

Q: What does your company do and how long has it been in operation?
A: Founded in 2006 through the combination of Conversent, CTC and Choice One Communications, One Communications is the largest privately-held competitive local exchange carrier in the United States.  One Communications serves more than 160,000 businesses throughout the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Upper Midwest regions. We have made significant investments in building and maintaining a vast, next generation IP network which includes more than 700 collocation facilities in Tier I, II and III cities across our 16-state footprint. With more than 2,000 employees and $800 million in annual revenue, One Communications is in a unique position to provide carriers and businesses with a robust portfolio of advanced telecommunications services backed by a level of personal attention the big phone companies just don’t deliver.

One Communications’ extensive range of carrier class services includes Enhanced Local Termination (with SIP handoff), SIP Origination, UNE-P Alternative Access, Toll Free Revenue Sharing, T1 Services, Inbound and Bi-Directional PRIs, Dedicated Internet, Integrated G.shDSL, DSL, Private Lines, and Metro Private Lines. One Communications provides CLECs, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Switchless Resellers, VOIP providers and more with an effective alternative to the incumbent service provider—enabling them to offer services in markets they would otherwise not be able to serve.

Q: To what do you attribute your company’s success in the communications industry?
A: Our unusual combination of flexibility and size coupled with particularly strong financials allows us to invest in advanced tools and technologies—enabling us to offer enhanced levels of service and differentiated products. Because of our competitive roots we are able to offer a level of personal service that exceeds that of the ILECs. Combining three successful companies has allowed us to strengthen our focus on serving carrier and business customers in our target markets. Our commitment to building and maintaining a robust, facilities-based, IP network with unmatched density allows us to offer a full range of services in those markets—reaching approximately 85% of the addressable businesses. With facilities in more than 700 Central Offices and 90% of our customers served off our own switches, we are less dependent on the ILECs for our network, which enables us to be highly responsive to our customers’ needs.

Further, this reduced dependence on the ILECs gives us greater control over costs and has helped us remain largely exempt from the rising wholesale dial tone costs associated with deregulation. 

Q: What have been the biggest obstacles your company has faced in the marketplace?
A: The volatile industry climate that existed in the early 2000’s and the resulting contraction in demand for telecommunication services forced many competitive service providers out of business. Our commitment to focus on establishing critical network density has allowed us to weather the storm and position the company for future growth.

Q: What do you see as your greatest challenges going forward?
A: As is the case with many CLECs, we are faced with the challenges associated with taking market share from the dominant incumbent providers. By forming the largest privately-held CLEC in the nation, we have achieved economies of scale that, when coupled with a higher level of personal service and attention, will enable us to increase our share of the market.

Q: What have been some of your company’s most recent achievements?
A: The successful merger and subsequent integration of CTC, Conversent and Choice One Communications is an accomplishment that stands out above many other notable achievements. Our ability to leverage key synergies and execute on a common vision has allowed us to rapidly integrate the component companies and create a very attractive alternative to the large incumbent providers. 

Q: Why is it important for your company to be a COMPTEL member?
A: As a leading industry organization, COMPTEL provides us with visibility and exposure to other industry leaders, enabling us to stay at the forefront of a highly competitive industry. We are proud to be associated with an organization that has made significant contributions to the evolution of competition in a once monopolistic market.