Speakeasy's Vision Realized With VoIP Growth

SEATTLE - September 12, 2006 —Speakeasy's entry into the Voice-over IP (VoIP) market was initially supported by its well-known broadband reputation. However, less than two years later, the company has become a leader in providing both broadband and voice to the small business market and its Business VoIP service is now projected to account for 20 percent of the company's growth in 2007. "The evolution of Speakeasy Business VoIP is a natural extension of the success we've had in broadband," notes Speakeasy's Chief Marketing Officer Ginny Hutchinson. "The resulting strategy of providing a complete voice and data solution to small businesses has been extremely rewarding."

A wide range of small businesses are using Speakeasy VoIP to reduce their communications costs, increase productivity with versatile feature sets and, when combined with Speakeasy broadband, simplify vendor management to a single solution.

ACCESS IS KEY
Verity Wealth Advisors is a private wealth management firm in San Francisco which switched to Speakeasy VoIP when their landlord stopped providing PBX service. In the financial services industry, around the clock access is important and clients need to easily reach Verity staff. With Speakeasy VoIP's Simultaneous Ring, calls are never missed during working hours. "As a small business owner, I just can't imagine an easier or more cost-effective communications solution. With all the call forwarding options, voicemail notification by email, and the simultaneous ring feature, Speakeasy Business VoIP makes it easy," says Christopher Wilkens, principal of the firm.

QUALITY & UPTIME ARE CRITICAL DECIDING FACTORS
Chicago-based Merge Design & Interactive uses Speakeasy services to offer a wide range of clientele, from start-ups to Fortune-ranked companies. The rapidly growing company requires dependable broadband and phone service to meet its time-sensitive deadlines. "In the design and technology field, quality of service and uptime are critical. With Speakeasy Business VoIP, I feel confident as a business owner that my Internet service and my phone service are going to be there every day," notes Riley Sheehan, President/Owner of Merge. Prior to using Speakeasy VoIP, Merge had experienced multiple issues with the local phone company including poor customer service, slow installation and outages. "It was always a real headache to get problems addressed," Sheehan recalls. Speakeasy's advanced technology was also a plus for him: "Our clients know that we're on the leading edge of not just the things that we build, but also the technology that supports our work."

VALUE IS NEVER OBSOLETE
Speakeasy has a long history of offering reliable service and products, exceptional customer care and increased value to its broadband and voice customers. When medical services company Princeton Transcription tired of the constant billing problems and sluggish customer service from its local phone company, they upgraded their communications experience and chose Speakeasy VoIP. "When you look at all-around value, Speakeasy is unbeatable. The service is reliable, you get a lot of value-added services, the costs are reasonable, and the customer service is through the roof. I wouldn't let anybody even talk to me about choosing anyone else for Voice over IP or T1 service," says Paul Tricoli, the company's president and CEO.

Speakeasy Business VoIP offers small and medium businesses the telecommunications benefits and functionality that used to be only available to large companies — at a fraction of the cost. Simply, businesses are realizing that they can't afford not to consider Speakeasy VoIP solutions. By simplifying and consolidating resources, they can focus on the business that really matters: their own.

About Speakeasy
Speakeasy, one of the nation's largest independent broadband services company, is focused on meeting the needs of discerning small businesses and professionals and those who depend on the Internet for higher productivity. Speakeasy manages its own private fiber-optic national network ensuring fast connections, low latency, and an unparalleled degree of security protection from the public Internet. Speakeasy offers a full range of services, including VoIP, OneLink dedicated DSL, Business Class T1 and multiple business-grade connectivity options. Those interested in Speakeasy can visit http://www.speakeasy.net or call 800-556-5829.

# # #