Sparkplug Expands Network to Meet Rapidly Growing Bandwidth Demand in Arizona

Fixed Wireless Broadband Provider Nearly Doubles Coverage Area in Phoenix Metro, Giving More Businesses Access to Sparkplug’s High Capacity Scalable Broadband Service

Sparkplug, Inc., a leading provider of fixed wireless broadband services, today announced that it has significantly expanded the reach and capacity of its Phoenix metropolitan area network, making Sparkplug’s affordable high speed broadband available to more businesses in the metropolitan area.

With the latest expansion, over 35,000 additional Arizona businesses can take immediate advantage of Sparkplug’s service, bringing the total number of businesses in Sparkplug’s service area to approximately 80,000, almost doubling the number of businesses within the company’s coverage area. The network expansion will fuel and support the company’s continued strong growth with high capacity business customers.

Driven by new Web-based applications of all types, many businesses find they are straining the limits of legacy wireline service. Businesses are demanding high-speed, business grade connections that go well past traditional T1 services (which top out at just 1.5 Mbps). Wireline solutions are often not available in the range above 3 Mbps, or are prohibitively expensive. This has become a real challenge for many businesses that require greater capacity and better pricing. As a growing number of Phoenix-based businesses have discovered, Sparkplug’s fixed wireless network offers the most cost effective, flexible and scalable way to stay ahead of their rapidly growing bandwidth requirements.

One such business is the Kierland Westin Resort & Spa, a Scottsdale, Ariz.-based company focused on business group meetings as well as the vacation market. Over the last decade, the company’s business segment has become increasingly competitive. Sparkplug’s high capacity broadband service is an important business development resource for them.

“We chose Sparkplug for its unbeatable combination of price and rapid scalability,” said Jeff Lartigue, IT Director of the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale. “Our business group segment is very competitive. Faster and flexible broadband service is a key way we differentiate ourselves. The benefits of Sparkplug’s services and the company’s excellent local support presence give us an edge we need in our business.”

Arizona’s High Capacity Broadband Solution

In addition to rapid scalability and flexibility, Sparkplug’s network delivers a reliable high capacity solution that Arizona businesses need to meet their business requirements. Rhino Internet is an interactive marketing and Web development agency that depends on high capacity broadband as a foundation for achieving business objectives. It needs the best service available and places high demands on its service provider.

“Sparkplug’s high capacity broadband service brings a powerful combination of reliability and scalability to the Phoenix Metro region that is superior to other broadband services,” said David Richardson, Chief Technology Officer of Rhino Internet. “Sparkplug’s ability to upgrade capacity rapidly and provide service up to and above 100 Mbps is crucial for our business. In addition, the technical support team has provided excellent local service and support. We are very pleased with our move to Sparkplug’s service.”

Sparkplug has been adding more high-capacity customers like Rhino in recent months, and expects the wave of high capacity demand to continue. These new customers need all of the benefits of Sparkplug’s network: highly scalable capacity, easy upgrades and carrier-class reliability.

“Our continuing growth and expansion in the Phoenix market is a reflection of the demand we’re seeing for a better class of high capacity broadband service from both our carrier and enterprise customers,” said Ben Brimhall, Vice President of Engineering and Operations for Sparkplug. “Carrier and enterprise customers in Arizona and all our markets across the country are asking for a cost-effective solution to their growing broadband demands that goes beyond what has traditionally been available. Given the need in the market for high speed, scalable and highly reliable broadband at a reasonable price, we are confident our fixed wireless service will continue attracting high capacity customers of all types throughout Arizona.”

An Arizona Technology Industry Leader

Sparkplug’s growth in Arizona is not a surprise to the leaders at the Arizona Technology Council. The council is a private, non-profit trade association founded to support the state’s expanding technology industry. Its focus is to unite Arizona’s technology sectors to enhance the state’s profile as a center for technological innovation. The rapid growth of broadband demand and Sparkplug’s unique solution to this challenge is a powerful example of the technology ecosystem gaining momentum in the state.

“Sparkplug’s success is a great example of how Arizona’s technology sector is expanding and driving innovation to support the overall growth of enterprise in the Phoenix metropolitan region and the state,” said Steven Zylstra, president and CEO of the Arizona Technology Council. “As a member of the Arizona Technology Council, Sparkplug enjoys access to a wide range of resources such as affinity programs that offer valuable discounts and networking opportunities designed to strengthen business relationships with forward-thinking professionals. When our members succeed, we succeed.”

About Sparkplug

Sparkplug is a leading fixed wireless broadband service provider currently operating networks across five states, including the metropolitan markets of Chicago, Nashville, Des Moines, Phoenix and Las Vegas. The company offers a suite of high-speed data, voice over IP, and other managed services over its own network to business, education, and government customers. All enjoy the benefits of fast, scalable and easy to deploy broadband service. Customers can choose from a complete range of symmetrical bandwidth service options starting at 2 Mbps with speeds up to 1 Gbps, at a fraction of the typical cost. The company also provides high capacity data services and transport to many of the nation’s leading telecommunications providers. For more information, visit www.sparkplug.net.

Contacts

McKenzie Worldwide
Rob Goodman, +1-503-863-2004
robg {at} mckenzieworldwide(.)com