Broadwing is considering strategic alternatives for its Optical Convergence Switch (OCS) digital cross-connect product, including a potential sale of the product, in order to focus on its telecommunications services business.
The OCS digital cross-connect switch provides standard point-to-point, ring and mesh networking functionality that enables delivery of SONET/SDH services and is sold by the Broadwing’s communications equipment division. Broadwing previously reported that its equipment sales, primarily to the U.S. government, contributed approximately 2% to consolidated company revenue in 2004.
Broadwing also announced that Jim Bannantine, who served as President of its equipment business, has resigned in order to pursue other interests. In addition, the company named Scott Widham, currently President-Carrier Accounts, to the new position of President of Sales, which merges oversight of the previously separate Carrier Accounts and Enterprise Accounts sales operations. http://www.broadwing.com
- In September 2004, Corvis changed its name to Broadwing Corporation. Last year, Corvis also acquired Chicago-based competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) Focal Communications for $210 million.
- In June 2003, Corvis and Cequel III, a St. Louis-based telecommunications and cable management firm, completed their acquisition of Broadwing Communications from Cincinnati Bell. The sale includes Broadwing’s 18,700 mile national fiber network, its all-optical switching platform, a state-of-the-art network operations center and all the other network elements necessary to provide its integrated and managed broadband telecommunications services.