Founded in 1980, Pac-West Telecomm, Inc. is a rapidly-growing provider of integrated communications services for customers throughout the western U.S. Pac-West supplies Internet infrastructure and broadband services to Internet service providers (ISPs), as well as integrated voice, data and Internet services to small and medium-sized businesses. The company currently has operations in California, Nevada, Washington, Washington, Colorado, Utah and Arizona, and plans to be operating in nine states by mid-2001. Pac-West employs over 700 employees throughout its service area. It began offering service to the Southern Nevada area in Augustof 1999, opening an 11,000-square-foot switching facility and sales office at 304 E. Carson St. in Las Vegas.
“For over 20 years, Pac-West has been committed to providing its customers with a reliable, single source for all their telecommunications needs,” said Jim Smothers, agent territory manager. “The company’s motto says it all: One Company-One Call-One Bill.” In 1982, the firm became one of the first interconnect companies to resell long distance using PBX switches. Since the 1996 Telecom Act, Pac-West has been able to compete with ILECs (incumbent local exchange carriers) in providing local telephone service. As a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC), it offers local dial tone, as well as custom calling features including call forwarding, call return and hunt groups. “Our goal has been to provide consumers with a better alternative to ILECs by offering personalized service, competitive rates and a wider array of service offerings,” said Smothers.
Also in 1996, Pac-West became one of the first CLECs to provide ISPs with wide-area local access, allowing for the rapid expansion of the Internet in its service area. It now provides local access lines, DSL and other enhanced services to many of the largest ISPs in the nation. Its unique SuperPOP configuration, and affordable collocation service enable ISPs to expand their coverage while reducing telecommunications costs. Similar services are also available for paging companies, call centers and enhanced service providers.
Pac-West’s Facilities-Based Dial Tone Service (FBDT) allows businesses to consolidate local, long distance, Internet and data services onto a single digital connection (T1). This integrated solution enables them to lower phone service costs and eliminate multiple service providers.
Small to medium-sized businesses, Pac-West’s target market, have an insatiable demand for bundled communications services, said Smothers. They also need state-of-the-art equipment to remain competitive, yet they frequently do not have the budget or technical expertise to design and maintain an advanced communications network on their own. Pac-West has simplified this process with its unique Direct Digital Telephone Service (DDTS), an integrated monthly service that simplifies how business customers purchase and manage their telecommunications network. Pac-West bundles the telephone hardware (PBX and telephone sets) with local and long distance service, high-speed data services, Internet access, voice mail and around-the-clock customer support, offering the entire package as a subscription service, with everything included in one monthly fee.
Business customers often express hesitation about investing their limited capital resources in a new phone system that could quickly become obsolete. DDTS is a flexible service that can expand as the business grows, according to Smothers. Additional telephone sets, phone lines and system features can be quickly added as needed. In addition, routine software upgrades ensure the system doesn’t become outdated. DDTS includes powerful options to improve business productivity, including instant Internet access and high-speed data transport. Each telephone set is equipped with an individual phone number, allowing callers to reach employees directly, without having to go through a company operator or receptionist.
“In the rapidly evolving environment of telecommunications, our customers need a single resource they can trust — a strategic partner that understands their business and can provide them with all the communications tools they need to remain competitive,” said Smothers. “With Pac-West managing their telephone network, customers are able to spend their time managing their core business.”