First Communications is an integrated telecommunications company providing local, long-distance and data services to approximately 240,000 residential and commercial customers throughout the country. Over the past 8 years, First Communications has become one of the largest Integrated Telecommunications Companies in the Mid-West. The organization has achieved significant and sustainable growth by remaining customer-focused, advancing its technical architecture and adapting to the ever-changing industry environment. In an industry currently defined by increased consolidation and regulatory constraints, First Communications has excelled.

Profitability and Growth

First Communications has achieved consistent profitability, with continuing double-digit annual growth. The organization attributes much of its success to its ability to identify key growth opportunities within the consolidating industry.  Using a linear-focused sales approach targeting underserved market segments, First Communications has generated substantial organic growth within its existing sales channels. The organization has also successfully completed 5 acquisitions since 2004, including CellNet, SkyLAN, ACCtion Communications, CoreComm Communications and Acceris Communications.

The acquisitions were strategic transactions to strengthen First Communications long-term competitive position.  Each acquisition added value in key areas - First Communications has increased its revenue and market penetration, added products to its portfolio and expanded its networks.

Technical Architecture

First Communications recognizes the importance of its technical architecture in providing customers with industry-leading services, and continues to bolster its network through capital investment and acquisition.

Recently, First Communications deployed a next generation efficient IP network, which includes an IP-based Metaswitch softswitch cluster, 24 collocation facilities and three Siemens EWSD long-distance switches in Los Angeles, New York and Akron. First Communications also operates a national MPLS based network that supports Frame Relay, ATM and IP-based products and additionally has an IRU for approximately 6,000 miles of fibre-optic network.

This IP based network enables the organization to provide converged voice, data and video applications via one network at a much lower cost than traditional telephony networks.  Converged IP platforms are cost effective and have management superiority over traditional network platforms. Utilizing this technology, First Communications will emerge as a triple-play provider of voice, data and video.

Broadband over Power Lines

First Communications continues to develop its proprietary Broadband over Power Lines (BPL) products, both FirstSpeed Access BPL and FirstSpeed In-building BPL. The FirstSpeed development team is a consortium of internal departments, external equipment vendors and utility partners working together to fully deploy a reliable, fast and affordable Internet product and additional IP-based applications.

FirstSpeed Access BPL uses specialized equipment to transmit the Internet data over the existing power lines into homes, then distributes the data to power outlets throughout the home.  FirstSpeed Access BPL is currently in early-stage deployment.  Through several control tests, the organization has developed a complete understanding of the product’s capabilities, as well as the necessary requirements to commercially deploy and market the product.

FirstSpeed In-building BPL uses the existing electrical grids to transmit the Internet into a building, then to distribute the Internet to electrical outlets throughout the building. Using specialized equipment, communications signals are transmitted to and from the backhaul network (the Internet link), through the building’s power infrastructure and delivered to the building’s electrical outlets.  Along with its high-speed capabilities FirstSpeed In-building BPL provides the backbone for enhanced applications such as digital phone service, video, advanced security and Local Area Network (LAN).

First Communications recently began to market its In-building BPL product to Multi-Tenant Units and Multi-Dwelling Units, such as Schools, Hospitals, Apartment, Condos, Offices, and Airports.  First Communications currently operates one of the largest In-building BPL deployments in Chicago, Illinois. First Communications delivers triple-play service to campus dorms including FirstDigital phone service, FirstSpeed Internet and Direct TVâ.

 Customer Focus

First Communications is dedicated to providing its customers with the best possible customer care experience.   When calling First Communications, customers do not have to navigate through complicated menus or experience long, discouraging waits on-hold.  Much larger providers are unable to provide customer care on the same level, making First Communications service far superior. 

To ensure 24x7 network availability, First Communications Network Operation Center (NOC) employs a team of 24x7 switch engineers. The organization also has a team of field technicians that manages customer premise equipment installation and maintenance. The customer premise field technicians handle over 10,000 truck rolls annually.