Suddenlink offers phone service

[cablewithaview]

Suddenlink Communications is offering new phone service packages in the Twin Counties in an effort to reach more than 80 percent of its U.S. customer base by year-end.

Phil Ahlschlager, Suddenlink's regional vice president for North Carolina, said the company is ready to take orders in Rocky Mount, Nash and Edgecombe counties, Tarboro, Nashville, Sharpsburg and surrounding areas.

"We had a couple of people who called in over the weekend," Ahlschlager said. "We are prepared to take phone orders for services that will be delivered over coax to the home."

Suddenlink is offering customers a package deal. If a customer has two of the company's existing services – cable television and high-speed Internet – the phone service can be added in the triple-play package for $39.95 for unlimted local and long-distance service, Ahlschlager said. The quality of phone service is comparable to current telephone service providers, and the cost is competitive, he said.

"There's convenience because you get all of the communications services from one provider," he said. "I think it is important to note that we may be a national company, but the installation of these services will be done by local installers and local technicians."

Suddenlink is expected to start a direct mail campaign soon, as well as other marketing campaigns, to tell the public about the new phone service, Ahlschlager said.

"In Rocky Mount's case and in surrounding areas, customers can call now and begin to subscribe to the service," he said. "Suddenlink phone customers can also use the same phones they use today and keep their existing phone numbers and wiring."

Suddenlink is expected to launch phone service for businesses later this year, he said.

"Unlike some other providers, customers will be dealing with one company and services will all be on one bill," Ahlschlager said.

Prior to this rollout, Suddenlink, the nation's eighth-largest cable operation with 1.4 million customers, offered phone service in Texas and a few locations in Missouri

"Our employees are very excited about this milestone, as it represents our ongoing commitment to delver new product and technology to our customers in North Carolina," Ahlschlager said.

Ahlschlager explained that Suddenlink's phone service is not an Internet phone service.

"Our service uses IP technology to transport phone calls over our own, private, managed IP-based network, never traversing the public Internet," he said. "As a result, we deliver the same high-quality user experience customers have come to expect from traditional phone service."


Suddenlink offers phone service