Well, sort of. Wireless Internet provider,
WaveLinx, has been bringing the latest technology in
telecommunications to rural communities in Oklahoma and Texas
for more than 95 years, and will keep rural areas tech-savvy
for years to come.
1906: Terral
Telephone acquires its first lines from the Choctaw Indian
tribe. The company thrives because they are one of the few
companies connecting families and friends in rural Oklahoma and
Texas. As their service and reputation grows, so does their
clientele.
1987: Because
of their booming business and notability, Natelco acquires
Terral Telephone.
1992: Dick
Segress sells his interest in Natelco and buys Terral
Telephone.
1995: The
Communications Act is passed, allowing for competition in the
telecommunications market. Segress forms Total
Telecommunications, Inc. (TTS), as an affiliate of Terral, to
compete with the big hitters of the industry.
1996: TTS
starts WaveLinx to offer Oklahoma customers dial-up Internet.
WaveLinx began by providing dial-up service, but now focuses
its energy on more advanced endeavors. They realize that in
order to stay current, they must remain flexible with the
ever-changing innovations in technology. WaveLinx stands on the
cusp of an Internet revolution. The company is building towers
and developing their own specific software to support wireless
Internet service, the benefits of which are immeasurable. “We
are very excited to be part of the next step in the Internet
evolution. Our mission is to be on the forward edge of
technology and to bring those advancements to those who are
overlooked by larger companies concerned with only dollar
signs,” says Dick Segress.
Although times and technology have changed
since 1906, WaveLinx stands securely on the shoulders of the
giants that have preceded them. Certainly not just a telephone
company any longer, WaveLinx still provides the personal,
down-home style of service that has made Terral Telephone a
staple for many rural families. “Our involvement with the
legacy of Terral Telephone helps us to stay rooted in the
communities that feed the country; the rural, agricultural
communities,” says Todd Segress, President of WaveLinx.
All tolled, the officers of WaveLinx have 60+ years experience
in the telecommunications industry, which translates into a
very knowledgeable company capable of clearing the way for
millions of people to surf the Internet with ease.
Standing in the shadow of Terral Telephone,
WaveLinx continues to grow, offering wireless service in many
rural Oklahoma and Texas communities. WaveLinx is currently
undergoing expansion and will offer wireless Internet service
to the Grand Lake area beginning in 2004.
