Formerly known as Nextlink Communications, XO Communications has spent more than $100 million since its 1997 inception to provide telecommunication services to Southern Nevada businesses over the Las Vegas Valley’s first completely digital, fiber-optic network. XO, headquartered in Reston, VA, has broadband networks in 51 cities and employs more than 6,100 people. In Nevada, it is already Sprint’s fiercest competitor for business telephone service.
“Historically, our industry has made it much too difficult to buy communications services,” said Vice President and General Manager Clark Peterson. “The business customer is confused and overwhelmed by the complexity in the marketplace. We are taking a dramatic step to eliminate the confusion with an aggressive new brand that symbolizes the simple concept that makes XO Communications unique.” For the first time, Las Vegas business customers will be able to get their local telephone service, long distance, Internet access and Web hosting charges all on one bill from one company and at one predictable flat price. The flat rate package, called XOptions, even includes the Internet router and its ongoing maintenance. The XOptions plan eliminates the complexity of working with several communications service vendors, providing bundled voice, data and Internet packages tailored to the needs of each business customer.
There are virtually no time or distance restraints in the new XO world. When customers are within the XO network, it makes no difference if they are communicating across the street or across the United States, or if they are calling on the phone or sending data. It all arrives at the same simple, predictable flat-rate price. “Now, Las Vegas businesses can have the latest telecommunications technology available, both voice and data, delivered at the speed-of-light, provided by one company on one bill, at one flat competitive price, simply and seamlessly,” said Peterson.
Locally, XO employs more than 150 people, led by Peterson, who oversees all XO operations in Southern Nevada. Previously, he served as director of sales and marketing for AT&T Wireless Services and also as a national product director and revenue development director for McCaw Cellular Communications. Kristi Becker heads the marketing department and is responsible for launching new products and determining all pricing product promotions, advertising and public relations. Becker previously served as a marketing manager for AT&T Wireless Services. More than 200 buildings are connected to XO’s fiber-optic network in Southern Nevada. XO’s Sales Director Joseph Brondon oversees the entire sales force servicing these buildings. Brondon previously served as general manager of sales for Sprint in Nevada.
XO sponsored the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties (NAIOP)’s “Virtual Bus Tour” in fall 2000. The event featured a tour of all the available office and industrial properties in the Las Vegas Valley, presented on a large screen at the MGM Conference Center. XO management called its sponsorship of the bus tour a “huge success” as a marketing tool and is working with NAIOP on enhancements for the 2001 tour.
