Virtual Networking Service, Inc., also known as Vircom, a local Internet service provider and Web hosting company, announced the sale of its customer base Dec. 10 to the Enumclaw-based SkyNet Broadband.
According to a release from Virtual Networking, the agreement confirms the transfer of customers and addresses major upgrades in bandwidth, hardware and software. The sale positions customers for more features, capabilities and access to local resources.
The release stated the intent of the sale will be to mutually develop an economic broadband corridor through Enumclaw, Black Diamond and Maple Valley while also addressing rural neighboring communities like Ravensdale and Hobart.
The sale of the customer base associated with Vircom will allow Virtual Networking Services to concentrate on broadband business development to rural and remote communities through the utilization of the prospective corridor with the support of SkyNet Broadband.
According to the Virtual Network release, “this sale represents the first step in a broadband initiative to focus on buying locally.”
The release went on to note the sale would facilitate high speed Internet access and broadband support for small and medium-sized businesses, small office and home office
workers, school districts, libraries, clinics and associations in rural communities.
“The continuing local presence of Virtual Networking Services will greatly assist us with our expanding services and the ever increasing demand for deploying high speed access through our fixed wired and wireless network, ” Charles Bender said, president of SkyNet Broadband. “Their experience in wireless communications can assist us to address local initiatives and requirements in a more expeditious and cost effective manner.”
Larry Baumgart, president and CEO of Virtual Networking said, “We are excited about this sale as it will allow us to concentrate on the development of community empowerment through virtual broadband services to rural and remote communities. At this time, I want to thank all Vircom’s customers for their patience and loyalty especially in these economic times. I also want to ensure those customers that we are still here, active in the community and still working diligently for them through SkyNet Broadband.”
The following background information was provided by Virtual Network Services, Inc.
• Virtual Networking Services or Vircom, was founded as an Internet service provider over a decade ago by John Hokenson who passed away Dec. 14, 2007. With his business partner, John Banes, and others, they built a wireless network in Maple Valley and Black Diamond. Many citizens, businesses and organizations became clients of Vircom including the Maple Valley/Black Diamond Chamber of Commerce and the city of Maple Valley. Market changes, technology changes, zoning enforcements and personal complications associated with Hokenson’s third diagnosis of cancer dictated a change to Vircom’s business plan and strategy. In cooperation with his business partner, Banes, and business associate, Larry Baumgart, and in Hokenson’s desire to leave a legacy, Virtual Networking embarked on establishing a new business direction in 2007. You can get insight into this direction through LinkedIn, www.linkedin.com and more specifically through two groups, “Rural and Remote Community Broadband” and “Maple Valley Online”. More information on Virtual Networking Services’ new business strategy will be found shortly on a new Web site, yet to be announced.
• About SkyNet Broadband
SkyNet is an Internet service provider located in Enumclaw that provides high speed data, digital phone, PC repair and IT services to the Puget Sound region.
For more information contact Larry Baumgart at 206-849-0205 or larryb@vircom.net or Chuck Bender at 360-802-6657 or cbender@skynetbb.com.
