Global Crossing partners with Eschelon

Eschelon Telecom, an integrated communications provider headquartered in Minneapolis, revealed that it would work with Global Crossing in order to provide voice and data services to 12 markets across the country.

The value of the 10-year agreement is worth $100 million. In turn, Global Crossing invested $5 million in Eschelon in an effort to help expand the service providers voice and data services network build-out.

Eschelon targets small business customers in tier 1 markets, offering local and long distance voice as well as data services such as Web hosting and DSL, according to Richard Smith, president and chief operating officer. The service provider differentiates itself by also providing the key and PBX systems in addition to services. “Most ICPs don’t pick up that piece of the business, but it’s a significant piece of our business.”

Currently, Eschelon provides services in 12 markets including Denver and Boulder, Colo.; Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.; Phoenix; Portland, Eugene, and Salem, Ore.; Reno, Nev.; Salt Lake City, Seattle and Tacoma, Wash.

The company has plans to expand into a total of 26 markets based on the raising of an additional $300 million, said Smith. “Global Crossing’s support will help us lay out our network, work to mesh our two networks and put fiber into our switching locations,” said Smith.