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A new owner, same great Baja serviceMar 30, 2013 (Alamogordo Daily News - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Baja Broadband hopes to reassure local communities of its continued commitment and service after recently being purchased by a Fortune 500 company. Telephone Data Systems acquired Baja in February. TDS, a company based in Chicago that provides video, high-speed broadband and voice services, purchased Baja for $267.5 million. "People get concerned when it's a big company that maybe they won't be serving the community like a small company would," Baja Broadband CEO Peter Kahelin said. Kahelin said TDS primarily serves small rural communities throughout the nation. "TDS may be a large company, but their corporate culture will continue to invest in the community, reaffirming Baja Broadband's commitment to the residents of Otero County," Kahelin said Kahelin said through the transaction with TDS, customers will see an increased level of responsiveness in customer support because of TDS' tradition of excellence in customer service. The official transaction is expected to take place this summer. Baja warned that during transition periods, consumers could be tricked with phone or email attempts from identity thieves trying to obtain account information or personal data. "Neither Baja or TDS will contact customers to verify or gather information over the phone or via email. We already have that information," Kahelin said. Kahelin said that, at least for now, Baja would retain its name. He also said that business would continue as usual at Baja and that if anything it would get better as the company continues to grow. In New Mexico, Baja provides service in Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Carrizozo, Ruidoso, Espacola, Hobbs and Truth or Consequences. Baja provides video, high-speed Internet and cable television service to 212,000 residential and commercial customers in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas and Utah. Baja employs 285 people company-wide and reported $82.4 million in revenue in 2012. At the company's operational headquarters and call center in Alamogordo, Baja employs 85 people. Kahelin said TDS' purchase of Baja will not affect service or jobs in any of its markets. "Expect to hear more from us as we move through the spring season. I want people to know Baja Broadband is committed to Otero County and together our future is bright," Kahelin said. ___ (c)2013 the Alamogordo Daily News (Alamogordo, N.M.) Visit the Alamogordo Daily News (Alamogordo, N.M.) at www.alamogordonews.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |