Generally, when telephone lines, television cables, and Internet connections are working properly, the quality of the system is often taken for granted. However, as soon as we have to live without such modern-day conveniences, our world crashes to a halt. Oxford Networks takes special care when engineering their network in order to provide the most reliable service possible. Its 600-mile fiber optic backbone – more than any other Maine company – runs in multiple loops (visual at right) so that if one portion of the loop is interrupted, service can still occur on the other parts of the loop.
      Technology and innovation like this is now a part of our every day lives, but 100 years ago, the technological advancement of the day was the telephone. In 1900, Oxford County Telephone and Telegraph served local telephone customers primarily in Oxford county. 
      While the business has since evolved to include long distance, high-speed Internet, digital cable and a suite of business services, Oxford Networks still remains a “Maine-based company through and through” from its board and employees to its stockholders. Building on its established reputation, they began offering broadband in 1999.
      Today, under the leadership of Chief Executive Officer Roderick “Rick” Anstey and President Craig Gunderson, its 111 full-time employees serve more than 18,000 voice, data, and digital cable television, Internet customers from its main office in Lewiston’s Southern Gateway as well as from network hubs in Portland, Lewiston, Augusta, and Bangor. In fact, Oxford Networks is often cited as the first company to commit to moving to that neighborhood, investing approximately $20 million in fiber optics. The neighborhood redevelopment and revitalization has since grown the city block to include VIP, Andover College, Northeast Bank, and a much needed parking garage.
      “While we have challenges in this industry and in this state – access to capital and rights of way being the top two – we are growing and investing in Maine,” Anstey affirms.
      “Maine-based companies are enabling competition and growth,” Gunderson agrees. “There is a need to create a climate and economy in which Maine-based companies can flourish. For us that means, a climate where we can build networks and use our assets to invest, grow, and enhance the business environment in Maine.”
      There are few local competitors and only three Maine-based telephone companies. Consequently, companies like Oxford Networks are competing with national corporations and faring quite well. They currently serve roughly 14,000 telephone customers and have and are known for providing an alternative to Verizon for Maine’s businesses. They continue to build lines in the cities’ business sectors to expand the network into high-growth areas. Many of the largest telecom carriers and wireless companies are also Oxford Networks customers. They use Oxford’s backbone network to connect towers to switching centers. 
      They must be doing something right. In 2001, Oxford Networks was recognized with the Governor’s Award for Business Excellence. In 2004, they received the Business Development Achievement Award from the Androscoggin Valley Council of Governors, and in the same year received the 2004 Spirit of the Androscoggin Award from the United Way. Most recently Oxford Networks was recognized as being among the top 21 Best Places to Work in Maine.
      “We compete with companies 4,000 times our size,” Gunderson says. “We need to be better, different, to utilize our assets to creatively meet the needs of our customers. Part of those assets are our fabulous employees,” he praises. “Our goal was to be the employer of choice in the telecom industry, and we believe we’ve made great progress toward that goal. We receive hundreds of unsolicited resumes from potential employees. People want to work for us, and that’s flattering.”
      Oxford Networks uses a team-based approach in their client relations. Each customer has a three-person account team consisting of an account executive, a sales engineer, and customer service representative. They focus on the customer and provide them with a person to talk to instead of an automated system. The team provides each client with customized service.
      “As a company, we have a desire to be fast and flexible,” Anstey notes. “Our teams are committed to making that happen for our customers.”
      “There is a unique culture here,” Gunderson attests. “It is one that rewards innovation, values trust and teamwork, and requires commitment and integrity. We prize that culture above all else. It allows us to attract great employees and serve our customers better.” r