Bandwidth Hooks Up Startups with Special Deal

RALEIGH, N.C. --(Business Wire)--

Bandwidth, one of the Triangle's fastest growing tech companies, and Yealink (News - Alert), a leading provider of VoIP phone and IP communication solutions, today announced they are contributing complimentary Phonebooth cloud based business phone service and hardware to the dozens of startups making their home in the American Underground, a Durham-based startup hub.

The 13-year-old Bandwidth began as a Triangle startup and has grown to become a nationwide leader in the communications technology industry. That proud history is fueling the company's interest in the Underground and other entrepreneurial hot spots, including HUB Raleigh.

"American Underground is a center for innovation and entrepreneurialism in this market. We love the energy of the space and the incredible environment they've created for startups," said Chief Marketing Officer Noreen Allen. "At Bandwidth, we see the potential for startups to do revolutionary things-both in this market and around the globe. As they grow and succeed, we're proud to stand beside them, fueling that potential with innovative prodcts and services."

In conjunction with the Bandwidth/Yealink announcement, the American Underground recently unveiled a plan to open a new hub. The Underground@Main Street will make 22,000 square feet of customized downtown space available to early stage startups in the spring. The new location joins The Underground@American Tobacco as one of the nation's most acclaimed destinations for entrepreneurs.

"Startups need great infrastructure to flourish. Bandwidth's partnership brings high-caliber resources and equipment to emerging technology companies, making it easier for them to focus on a successful launch," said Underground Chief Strategist Adam Klein.

Adds Stone Lu, executive vice president, Yealink: "We are very pleased to be able to work with great partners like Bandwidth and American Underground in helping high-tech startups in their early-growth phase. The combination of Yealink Voice over IP telephone sets and the excellent network connectivity provided by Bandwidth will certainly provide telecommunications efficiencies and increased communications effectiveness with these new enterprise clients."

Bandwidth is well acquainted with the "game on" spirit of entrepreneurship. The company earned honors in 2012 as one of the Triangle's best places to work and as the state's Top Private Company at the NCTA (News - Alert) 21 tech awards. It was also recognized as one of the 100 largest privately owned businesses in the state.

Bandwidth recently relocated its corporate offices from Cary, NC to the former Red Hat (News - Alert) space on NC State's Centennial Campus. The company is also working with HUB Raleigh, another entrepreneurial co-working space, to provide Phonebooth business VoIP phone service to its shared office facility for startups.

For more on Bandwidth and today's announcement, please contact Billy Warden, 919-412-0630 or Greg Behr, 919-272-5621 or email pr@bandwidth.com.

About Bandwidth

Bandwidth is among the nation's largest and fastest-growing communication technology companies. The company operates four divisions - inetwork, Phonebooth, Broadband and republic wireless - that all share a mission of transforming the communications industry. Across the four divisions, Bandwidth provides a full range of communications services, including wholesale voice origination and termination, a full suite of 9-1-1 services, hosted VoIP and internet connectivity service for SMBs, and a consumer wireless business. Founded in 1999, and a certified CLEC in 49 states, Bandwidth is a profitable company headquartered in Cary, NC with a large remote office in Denver, CO and field offices in eight other cities. For more information, please visit www.bandwidth.com.