Past Issues: August 2001 | September 2001 | October 2001 | November 2001 | December 2001 | January 2002 | February 2002 | March 2002 | April 2002 | May 2002 | June 2002 | July 2002 | August 2002 | September 2002 | October 2002 | November/December 2002 | January 2003 | August 2005 | September 2005 | October 2005 | November 2005 | December 2005 | January 2006 | February 2006 | March 2006 | April 2006 | May 2006 | June 2006 | July 2006 | August 2006 | September 2006 | October 2006 | November 2006 | December 2006 | January 2007 | February 2007 | March 2007 | April 2007 | May 2007 | June 2007 | July 2007 | August 2007 | September 2007 | October 2007 | November 2007 | December 2007 | January 2008 | February 2008 | March 2008 | April 2008 | May 2008 | June 2008 | July 2008  |  August 2008  |  September 2008  |  October 2008  |  November 2008  |  December 2008

September 2005

Inside this issue: Growing Stronger every day, Internet Telephone (VoIP), Citynet Wholesale, The Gulf Coast Storm

Growing Stronger
Citynet continues to grow and provide services over a 13 state footprint. Since 2003, Citynet has grown nearly 250% in the number of employees providing support to our customers, introducing new technologies, and providing and expanding our carrier class network for Citynet customers both big and small. During the same time period, our revenues have grown by nearly 370%. What started as a small internet provider with web services now provides cutting edge products and services to business customers in 13 states and Washington, D.C. We’ve grown, but we remember our roots and continue to provide internet access and website services, too! For more information on Citynet visit our website (http://www.citynet.net) or call us at 800.903.8906

Internet Telephone
So much is being said about Internet telephone or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), but do you really know what this is? The Federal Communications Commission (http://www.fcc.gov/voip/) defines internet telephone service as: "a technology that allows you to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of a regular (or analog) phone line. Some services using VoIP may only allow you to call other people using the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number - including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some services only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you to use a traditional phone through an adaptor."

Here at Citynet, we have extensive experience with VoIP service. In fact, we are one of only two West Virginia based companies holding a Cisco Systems (http://www.cisco.com) IP Communications Specialization in this new technology. In presenting Citynet with this certification Cisco Systems (a major equipment provider in this field) said of Citynet: "Citynet LLC has met the resource requirements for an IP Communications Specialization and demonstrated that they are qualified to support customers with their IP Communications Specialization in USA. Cisco values the commitment and expertise that Citynet has demonstrated and looks forward to working together."

In order to better serve this emerging technology, Citynet is undergoing an extensive network upgrade so that we can better serve all of our customers. This soon to be completed network enhancement will enable us to offer VoIP service to our business customers and to residential customers who have broadband connections to the internet. Keep watching for future information on Citynet VoIP service in future newsletters.

Citynet Wholesale
Citynet’s Wholesale division continues to increase its 8,000 mile fiber network. We are currently expanding our network services by building facilities to the ILEC (Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier) central offices in four cities in West Virginia and three in Ohio. Citynet Wholesale will now be able to offer additional savings off of the tariffed incumbent phone company rates in Morgantown, Parkersburg, Huntington and Beckley, WV and Portsmouth, Lima and Youngstown, OH. Youngstown will be an entirely new market for the wholesale team and we are excited about the prospect of providing services to what has clearly been an under-served market in our footprint. Citynet will be completing this network expansion throughout the fourth quarter of this year. If you’d like more information on Citynet Wholesale visit our website http://www.citynet.net

Hurricane Katrina
We all have seen the photos and understand the loss in homes, businesses, and human life, so exactly what can we do to help? Many organizations are geared up to provide assistance to the victims of this wide spread storm damage. Many of our civic organizations, churches, and clubs have begun to help out. The most active and obvious organization is the American Red Cross (https://www.redcross.org/donate/donation-form.asp). They have pulled together what is being regarded as their largest mobilization in history to help the victims all along the Gulf Coast.

Be careful of internet websites that may claim to provide support to victims. If you have a desire to contribute your financial support, make certain that your funds really get to the people. Rely on established and well known assistance organizations and donate your time, supplies, or money to them.