Codero Partner BEK Communications Offers Free Cloud Backup to Rural North Dakota

Codero Holdings, Inc., in managed hosting services and technology enablement, released a case study about the decade-long modernization and expansion project of rural local exchange carrier (RLEC) BEK Communications.

Codero serves and is privately owned by a nationwide cooperative of RLECs, who are increasingly partnering with Codero to resell cloud-based products and services as the RLEC market evolves.

Once primarily tasked with providing voice and television service for rural areas, RLECs began to experience new pressures and opportunities to modernize as the digital era progressed. Many began this journey by providing Internet service over copper wire, but as competition increased, companies like BEK Communications recognized the opportunities that faster Internet would bring.

BEK has spent more than 10 years replacing their original network with modern fiber optics, with more than 280,000 strand miles of fiber laid so far. This move gave BEK Communications the fastest Internet service in North Dakota and enabled the company to begin offering expandable, cloud-based solutions.

“We have nearly 10,000 customers with ready access to our network,” BEK Communications network and products manager Jesse Gunsch said. “BEK has a growing base of cloud-based customers who are outside of BEK’s Lightband Service area. Those customers know and trust the service and support they get from local cooperatives like BEK Communications. We knew we could leverage our resources and reputation to reach new residential and business clients.“

The provider offers hybrid and managed hosting, as well as cloud-based security, automation, surveillance, television, and voice products on a national basis utilizing Codero’s infrastructure-as-a-service offering. Through this expansion, BEK has doubled its customer base and tripled its revenue in the last seven years.

In November 2017, the provider expanded its offering to include 50GB of Codero cloud backup as a perk that comes bundled with its broadband service. In addition, it has launched a partner program to enable companies to resell Codero cloud-based hosting, with its cloud backup soon to come.

“Competition may be steep, but few companies have built the long-lasting relationships or trust that RLECs have with their customers,” said Codero CRO, Ric Riddle. “This puts smart RLECs like BEK Communications in an exceptional position to market to end users and become the provider of choice in virtually any IT arena they choose to enter.“