Suddenlink debuts phone service on North Coast

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Suddenlink’s catchy slogan took on yet another meaning last week when the St. Louis-based company launched phone services in Humboldt County.

“Suddenlink, we’re connected” now applies to telephones, as well as high speed Internet, digital cable and high-definition television in homes around the North Coast.

For many years, AT&T was the only major telecommunications provider in the area, but Suddenlink has been infiltrating the local market since taking over the Cox Communications station in Eureka about a year ago.

Wendy Purnell, Suddenlink director of marketing for the Pacific region, believes having more than one major phone provider in the area benefits local customers, providing them with more options from which to choose.

“It’s exciting that we can offer our customers a choice in phone service,” she said. “We deliver a very clear, robust, high-quality phone service that people have come to expect.”

Keith Crossley, Suddenlink regional vice president for the Pacific region, also expressed excitement about the debut of phone services in Humboldt County, but for a different reason.

“Our employees are very excited about this milestone, as it represents the first rollout of phone service under the Suddenlink banner in California.”

Previously, Suddenlink offered phone services to customers living in Texas and certain regions of Missouri. Humboldt County is the first area of California to receive such services.

Included as part of its services are unlimited local and domestic long-distance calls, in addition to popular calling features like caller ID, call waiting, 3-way calling, call forwarding and anonymous call rejection.

The company also provides automatic access to the Enhanced 911 system.

But what Purnell believes distinguishes Suddenlink’s service from other providers is the fact that it provides local support for customers. Local technicians install equipment and local customer service representatives work with callers to solve problems that pop up.

Suddenlink uses IP technology to transport phone calls over a private network that never crosses over the public Internet, meaning that customers are guaranteed privacy and security, Purnell said.

“It’s very secure, it’s very safe,” Purnell said. “It never touches the public Internet and I think that’s critical.”

Customers will be able to keep their old phone number or get a new one, and have the option of bundling other services onto the same bill. The implementation of phone services in Humboldt County follows on the tails of last year’s debut of high-definition TV — one of the company’s most popular services.

“To do both of these in less than a year is really exciting. (Suddenlink is) really making an investment in this community,” Purnell said.

May 21 marked the first day phone services were available for local residents. For more information, phone the Eureka office at 877-443-3127 or visit Suddenlink |.


The Eureka Reporter - Article