Newroads to Provide Telephone Services on New Fiber-to-the-Premise Network in Sallisaw, Oklahoma
-- For immediate release --
Sallisaw, Oklahoma (June 15, 2004) -- The Sallisaw Municipal Authority (SMA), a utility trust authority of the City of Sallisaw, Oklahoma, has contracted with Newroads Telecom to provide local and long distance telephone services over the city’s new fiber to the premises (FTTP) network.
Newroads Telecom is a Competitive Local Exchange Carrier (CLEC) and provides Internet and Telephone Services in Arkansas and Eastern Oklahoma. Newroads will be establishing services in Sallisaw as a competitive alternative to current SBC services. Currently Newroads is one of the fastest growing providers in the region and has made commitments to provide local telephone switch technologies that will work compatibly with the Sallisaw’s new fiber network.
The City of Sallisaw, located in Eastern Oklahoma, is a community of approximately 4,100 households and businesses. After completing a detailed feasibility study in Q3 2003, SMA has begun the implementation program to provide leading-edge broadband services to each residence and business in the community by 2005. In addition to telephone service from Newroads, the network will offer television programming and high-speed Internet services to the community.
“This fiber optic network will bring the most advanced communications and entertainment services to Sallisaw, and our residents and businesses will directly benefit from an alternative provider of a full range of local telephone services. Newroads has a proven track record of providing telephone services in Oklahoma and Arkansas, and the operating expertise they bring to this initiative will be of great benefit to our community,” said Keith Skelton, Assistant City Manager.
“As technologies continue to develop, the people in small town America will benefit. Customers will be able to utilize services that, until recently, were only available in larger metropolitan areas,” said Bill Stuckey, President of Newroads. “It is exciting to work with such a progressive municipality like Sallisaw, Oklahoma. The people have chosen their leadership wisely and will be excited with this project and what it will do for the community.”
Uptown Services, a telecommunications consulting firm retained by SMA to facilitate the implementation, completed the search for a telephone services provider, leading to the selection of Newroads. According to Dave Stockton, Principal at the firm, “We were particularly impressed with the industry expertise, service capabilities, and management strength of Newroads. We are excited about the benefits their telephone services will bring to the Sallisaw market.”
About Newroads Telecom
Fort Smith, Arkansas based Newroads Telecom was established in May 2000, by the former management team of IPA/Internet Partners of America with the intent to provide Integrated Voice and Data services to the region. In the two state region Newroads has developed one of the largest Fixed Wireless Broadband Networks, High Speed DSL services, Contemporary Accelerated Dialup Internet Services, and Local and Long Distance Telephone Line Services. Newroads Telecom currently serves over 11,000 customers in over 100 towns and cities in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Newroads markets itself through media exposure with over 50 local Newspapers, 20 local Radio stations and almost 200 business agent representatives.
About Uptown Services
Uptown Services was established in 1996 as a broadband services consulting firm providing leading edge analytical and implementation support services to municipalities and utilities entering the broadband sector. Services and expertise include feasibility studies, system implementation, and financial and strategic services. Uptown has provided detailed analytical and consultative services to 30 public power companies and municipalities across the U.S., and is the exclusive broadband consulting services partner of Hometown Connections, a subsidiary of the American Public Power Association.
Newroads Contact:
Bill Stuckey, President
(479) 494-0300 or bstuckey@newroadstelecom.com
Uptown Services Contact:
Dave Stockton, Principal
(678) 580-0257 or dstockton@uptownservices.com
