Granite Buys Epik: Score One for Legacy Telecom

IP might be the cool kid in town, but legacy telecom isn’t dead. Channel player Granite Telecommunications is buying OBSM, a POTS (plain old telephone service) replacement device manufacturer. OBSM does business in the industry under the name Epik.

Granite, which supplies myriad communications products and services to businesses and government agencies with multiple locations, touts the purchase for “enabling seamless solutions.” Specifically, customers who rely on TDM landlines will get more simplicity, consistency, reliability and savings. The news is most applicable to customers with alarms, elevators and point-of-sale systems running on legacy telecom technology.

Granite says there’s a demand for reliable, low-cost alternatives for these types of specialty lines. Incumbent carriers seemingly are reducing support for TDM networks almost every day.

Rob Hale is Granite’s president and CEO. He’s also co-owner of the NBA’s Boston Celtics.

Granite’s Rob Hale

“Businesses are looking for an easy, cost-effective, single-source POTS replacement to improve reliability, enable consistency across geographies and capture savings,” said Hale. “By combining Granite’s one-stop network installation, service and support with Epik’s patented technology, we can offer customers a technologically robust solution with turnkey implementation and complete management.”

Wireless POTS Pioneer

Epik claims to be one of the first to launch a wireless POTS offer. Steve Olsen is president of Epik.

“We’re excited to become part of the Granite team and see real customer value in combining our breakthrough, patented Epik technology with Granite’s proven leadership in delivery of TDM alternatives, execution of complex installations and excellence in customer service,” said Olsen.

Granite says the Epik acquisition boosts its lineup of POTS alternative services in a number of ways. Those include reliable analog access with broadband redundancy, dual SIMs and 24-hour battery backup; an efficient design and installation process; real-time monitoring for continued performance, management and support; predictable monthly charges; and single-point-of-contact and customized billing.