ANPI and RTG Join Forces to Provide Comprehensive Value to Customers

Associated Network Partners, Inc. (ANPI) and Rural Telecommunications Group (RTG) will co-produce an upcoming customer meeting May 4–5 in Scottsdale, AZ. Since its inception ANPI has hosted an Annual Meeting for shareholders and customers, and for the first time the organization has expanded the agenda focus to include sessions that address the needs of wireless providers. It is ANPI's Annual Meeting that will now serve as a customer meeting for both ANPI and RTG. Dave Lewis, ANPI's chief executive officer, shared, "It has always been ANPI's goal to provide meeting topics that are both educational and relevant to our customers. Since many of our customers either operate wireless divisions today or are considering entering the wireless market, RTG was a natural fit to include in this meeting." Lewis continued, "RTG's contribution to the agenda and speaker lineup solidifies a program that is timely and relevant for our respective organizations."

RTG's executive director, Jerry Wilke, added, "RTG's members are small businesses serving or seeking to serve secondary, tertiary and rural markets, and this is exactly the market that ANPI has so effectively served since 1996." Wilke continued, "We believe combining our efforts will result in an event that benefits both organizations immensely."

ANPI provides wholesale voice and data carrier solutions to a diverse and growing numbr of ILECs, CLECs and Wireless service providers with the goal of utilizing the organization's scale and collective resources to maximize multiple business opportunities for our customers. RTG's members provide wireless telecommunications services, such as cellular telephone service and Personal Communications Services, among others, to their subscribers. RTG is comprised of both independent wireless carriers and wireless carriers that are afiliated with rural telephone companies.

Gene Chohon, vice president of sales and market development for ANPI, added, "RTG's participation in the upcoming meeting is a great step towards a mutual goal for both organizations. That goal is to provide customers with a forum that brings together industry leaders and experts in a common setting that is conducive for attendee and speaker interaction." He continued, "I think we're going to accomplish exactly that with ANPI's and RTG's joint efforts." Additional sessions will address the growth of wireless opportunities in rural America including the availability of spectrum and creation of the business case to light it. Other discussions include new wireless technologies and what they mean for service providers and their competitors. Sessions will also include discussions for shared wireless infrastructure, Capex realities, nationwide networks and peering.

RTG customers can see complete meeting details, including agenda, speakers and hotel information, plus register from ANPI's website.

About ANPI

Associated Network Partners, Inc. (ANPI) founded in 1996 and headquartered in Springfield, IL with the simple goal of providing access to competitive long distance rates to Independent telcos. In addition to providing wholesale programs, today ANPI owns and operates its own network designed to serve the evolving needs of the marketplace. ANPI serves ILECs, CLECs and Wireless service providers with the goal of utilizing scale and collective resources to maximize multiple business opportunities for customers.

About RTG

Rural Telecommunications Group (RTG) headquartered in Washington, D.C. is a Section 501(c)(6) trade association representing rural wireless carriers who serve less than 100,000 subscribers. RTG's members have joined together to speed delivery of new, efficient and innovative telecommunications technologies to the populations of remote and underserved sections of the country.