Sage Telecom, Inc was founded in 1996 as a competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) reselling telecommunications primarily in rural markets served by SBC Communications. The company provided local phone service, local bundled phone service and dial up internet access in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Wisconsin. In February 2006 the company announced eSageLink, a high-speed dial up Internet service available first in and around Muncie, Indiana. In January 2007, Sage announced it had been acquired by hedge fund Silver Point Capital. In July, 2012, Sage was acquired by Telscape Communications.
 | |
| Company type | Privately held corporation |
|---|---|
| Industry | Telecommunications Services |
| Founded | Founded by Investors in 1996 |
| Headquarters | Dallas, Texas |
Key people | Matthew H. Johnson - Co-CEO and CFO Nathan R. Johnson - Co-CEO Joseph P. Holop - COO Shahin Sazej - CTO |
| Products | Local Phone Service, Home Phone Service, Business Phone Service, Dial Up Internet access |
History
editSage Telecom was founded in Allen, Texas by Dennis W. Houlihan around 1996. In 1998 Sage received certification from the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) of Texas to provide local telephone service throughout the entire state of Texas. In 2001 Sage received certification from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC) to provide local telephone service throughout the state of Oklahoma. Dennis Houlihan was 2001 entrepreneur of the year in the emerging companies category as part of the Ernst & Young entrepreneur of the year program for the southwest region. In 2002 Sage began providing service in Kansas. In September 2003 Sage Telecom had the highest revenue growth in Texas for the previous five years, according to Deloitte and Touche.[1] In April 2004 Sage Telecom and SBC reached the first wholesale commercial agreement between a CLEC and a Regional Bell Operating Company following the US Federal Court mandate that overturned government imposed wholesale rules issued by the Federal Communications Commission on the Telecommunications Act of 1996.[2][3] Terry W. Lewis took over as president and CEO in 2005 from founder Houlihan.[4] In April 2006, Sage announced a similar arrangement with Verizon.[5]
In January 2007 Silver Point Capital acquired Sage, which had over 500 employees at the time.[6] The company was led by president and CFO Chris Williams in 2007 during the transition.[7] In July 2012 Telscape Communications, rebranded as TruConnect,[8] acquired Sage from Silver Point for undisclosed terms.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Deloitte Reveals Fastest-Growing Technology Companies in Texas". Press release. Deloitte & Touche. September 15, 2003. Archived from the original on October 6, 2003. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ "SBC, Sage Telecom Agree On Access Charges". TechWeb network. April 6, 2004. Archived from the original on March 13, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ Matthew S. Hisrich (April 14, 2004). "The End of Telephone Competition as We Know It". The Buckeye Institute. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ "Sage Hires Former Verizon Exec". Light Reading. January 30, 2006. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ Chad Eric Watt (April 9, 2006). "Sage Telecom signs Verizon access deal". Dallas Business Journal. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ "Silver Point Capital buying Sage Telecom". Dallas Business Journal. January 29, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ "Silver Points Buys CLEC". Light Reading. January 30, 2007. Retrieved July 8, 2013.
- ^ "EY Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2015 Greater Los Angeles". Smart Business. 1 July 2015. Retrieved 6 December 2019.
- ^ "Telscape Completes Acquisition of Sage Telecom". News release. July 10, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2013.