Business connectivity provider Birch Communications has filled in another chunk of its roadmap with its phase of a multi-year project to upgrade and expand its IP network, with an expansion into the Carolinas.
In all, the CLEC is adding 43 additional central office collocations (COs) and 15 wireless towers across five states.
“Birch’s IP network now covers nine states with 290 COs, and we plan to grow to 13 states and 500 COs by the end of 2015,” said Chris Aversano, executive vice president and COO of Birch. “The completion of this latest phase of a larger upgrade and expansion project extends our IP network into two new states: North Carolina and South Carolina, and also adds wireless local loop capabilities in several new markets in Florida. We plan to continue to expand and improve our IP network at every opportunity, through both organic network build and acquisitions. Birch’s IP-network provides our customers with the very best communications and cloud services.”
Cities in this latest expansion include: Fort Meyers, Port Charlotte, North Port, Punta Gorda, Englewood, Nokomis, Placida, Sarasota, Venice, Bradenton, Naples, and Tampa in Florida; Topeka, Kansas; Charlotte and Greensboro, North Carolina; Corpus Christi, Longview, Midland and Waco in Texas; and Greenville, South Carolina.
Birch’s network is powered by MetaSwitch and Zhone Technologies, and, via channel partners, delivers local and long distance voice, broadband Internet access, T1, PRI, bonded T1, PRI & DSL, SIP trunking, hosted PBX, wireless voice and data, hosted e-mail a nd applications, voicemail, and other communications and cloud services.
“This latest phase of our IP network expansion was completed on schedule and within budget,” said Mikail Shomade, senior director of engineering for Birch. “Our rapid expansion plans call for more IP network build-out in 2013 through which we will provide greater product offerings, network speeds and flexibility. The deployment of the IP network in these additional areas will ensure businesses have access to innovative communications services now and in the future.”
