Big River Telephone acquires Clas.net

By Jim Obert

Business Today

Big River Telephone recently inked an acquisition deal with Clas.net. Both are Cape Girardeau-based companies. Clas.net has been a leading Internet service provider in the Southeast Missouri market the past nine years. It was one of the pioneers in bringing dial-up Internet service to the area.

The acquisition of Clas.net will allow Big River Telephone to further deliver advanced Internet Protocol (IP) voice, data and multimedia services to the region, according to Big River president Kevin Cantwell.

"With this acquisition, Big River Telephone strengthens its solutions portfolio for the broadband communications market, enabling customers to gain access to new technologies using next generation of Voice over IP (VoIP) applications and services," said Cantwell.

The deal transfers all of Clas.net's assets, which includes its list of 4,500 regional customers, to Big River Telephone. Customers of MCOMM, a local telephone service provider since 2002, will also transfer.

"The conversion of the Clas.net customer base is going great and we have encountered virtually no problems," said Cantwell.

Gene Magnus, president of Clas.net, said, "Big River Telephone is the only local telephone company that is positioned to take the customers of Clas.net to the next level of information movement and management. I am proud of what we have accomplished as a Internet service provider in the region and extremely confident that Big River Telephone will expand even more on our success."

Cantwell said Big River's acquisition of Clas.net further emphasizes the company's commitment to be the premier telecommunications company in the area. He said the company continues to expand and deliver to customers solutions that allow organizations to use technology to improve their communication needs.

Big River Telephone operates a fixed wireless network that delivers local, long distance, data and Internet services to residences and businesses throughout eastern Missouri, Southern Illinois and western Kentucky.

Big River's recent deployment of a VoIP platform has allowed it to roll out new IP-based applications such as teleconferencing, voice mail other solutions.

"Big River is excited about the opportunity to add Clas.net to our growing company," said Cantwell. "Customers are the reason why we are in business and we look forward to providing our new customers with the superior service that our existing customers receive.

"The use of technology will allow our customers to grow and will reap huge benefits for the region. A stronger Southeast Missouri is a benefit to all."

Terms of the deal calls for the Clas.net organization to move to the Big River Telephone facility at 24 S. Minnesota. The new Big River employees who came from Clas.net are Carolyn Davis, Andrew Shain, Trafton Clark, Phil Matrisotto, Phillip "Flip" Hupp and Kim Barnard.

"We are excited to inherit so many knowledgeable employees from Clas.net and look forward to bringing their training and enthusiasm to the Big River team," said Cantwell.

Big River marketing coordinator Meredith White said Internet customers will be integrated into the Big River network, and customers can keep their Clas.net domain names.

"Prices will not change unless customers look at options we offer," said White.