PNG Targets Commercial Market

PowerNet Global Communications (Booth 421), which for the past 15 years has been known for its low-cost long-distance service to residential customers and aggressive rates on international calling, announced it now is expanding into the business market.

The foundation of our business has been the residential customer, and we will continue to provide great service in this area, said PowerNet Global CEO and President Bernie Stevens. The commercial market, however, proved to be our new growth engine in 2006, and we believe it is the future of our business.

PNG pioneered flat-rate residential long-distance when the company began in 1992, and has continued to be competitive in that market to its present success in the telecom industry.

Were still the same great company that supports our agents, and offers a partnership based on integrity and longevity for success in this business, said Executive Vice President of Sales Larry Moses. In 2006, we proved that we can bring this same approach to the commercial market and see even greater success over time. We had more positive change in 2006 than weve had in the last 14 years. We know this is the future of our company and future success of our agents.

To serve the commercial market, PNG offers customized business applications utilizing its own VoIP network, traditional TDM delivered via several carrier partners, or a combination of both. Since November 2005, PowerNet Global more than doubled its commercial sales staff, and plans to continue adding seasoned professionals through 2007. We increased our monthly sales by 120 percent in 2006, and our dedicated minutes increased 71 percent, said Moses. With the launch of our dedicated local/PRI product in 2006, giving a business customer local, long-distance and data on a single local T1/PRI, we continue to build a product portfolio to meet the needs of the industry and the agents we serve.

PNG is developing tools and processes to create end-to-end value, added Stevens. We are going to support our agents and customers in ways that are revolutionary to the old PNG, he added. There will be innovations across all our touchpoints, from solutionoriented product propositions, to efficient order acquisition and management, to annual promotions and co-marketing opportunities.

One of the first examples of this new approach, developed in 2006, is PNGs revamped Agent Portal. The new Web portal simplifies the sales process for agents, and gives them more visibility into the ordering and provisioning process. Additional enhancements already are being worked, and will streamline the quoting and provisioning process even further.

We are making strategic investments in our commercial business. We are going to build it the right way, just like we did residential LD, said Moses. Keep your eye on PNG in 2007!