It all seems so simple. Pick up the phone, punch in a few numbers and in a matter of seconds you’re talking to someone from Charlotte, Chicago, Chattanooga or China. But behind that seemingly easy transaction is a complex infrastructure reflecting the demands of the marketplace, ever-increasing globalization and the leading edge of emerging technology.

One company managing all the intricacies of the new realities of telecommunications is Great Lakes Comnet (GLC), based in East Lansing. Organized in 1996 by a group representing  independent state phone companies, Great Lakes Comnet provides those independent telephone companies operating throughout Michigan with a broadband network and switching infrastructure allowing for the most modern and efficient use of a variety of voice, video and data services.

Paul Bowman, president and CEO, described the company as being “Grand Central Station for phones” and “the carriers’ carrier.” For large companies like MCI, as well as for small independent phone companies, GLC provides connectivity between the caller and the receiver.

John Summersett, vice president of business development, explained it this way: “GLC is like a common on-ramp to a freeway. Rather than hook up every driveway directly to the highway, the on-ramp gives everyone access to the same point. This makes sense economically as well as in terms of efficiency and service.” GLC currently has 150 individual telecom carriers utilizing its connectivity services.

GLC has the only independently owned and operated tandem switch in Michigan, making it unique among state telecom businesses. A tandem switch is defined by PC Magazine as “a telephone central office switch that links telephone company end offices together and does not connect to the customer directly.” End offices provide the local loops directly to customers; tandem offices like GLC carry telephone traffic between these end offices.

With 11 employees, GLC’s size makes it uniquely qualified to provide personalized service in a customer-friendly manner without the restrictions of larger organizations. Its relatively small size doesn’t deter it from having both the most state-of-the-art equipment and the “best and the brightest” of IT professionals on staff. Summersett said, “With the talent we have amassed, we can function like a think tank for telecom services. We collaborate with our vendors to create new products driven by the needs and desires of our customers, and we introduce new and innovative products and services to our customers on an ongoing basis, always aware of both what they need and the emerging technology available to us.”

With the rapid pace of technological change, it’s a challenge to keep up with the latest and greatest. According to Bowman, “It’s essential that we remain ahead of the crowd in terms of technology, and our staff is always learning and growing. For IT professionals who have the aptitude, energy, attitude and motivation, this is a great place to work. In fact, for the IT experts, GLC is like a toy store, giving them the opportunity to ‘play’ with all the latest technology.”

Besides its integral product, GLC’s products and services include:

• Consulting with companies on their in-ground and above-ground cable by assisting in engineering, data collection and/or project management
• Assisting companies in building fiber communications networks to extend their reach by planning, engineering, furnishing and installing fiber
• Mapping services
• Assistint in delivery of a carrier’s Internet service provider (ISP) business
• Providing a complete range of services to help businesses succeed, including local and national directory assistance
• Providing toll services, including traditional long distance and toll-free service, debit and credit cards
• Providing operator services including multiple call centers, multilingual operators and branded call greetings
• Providing digital voice messaging services

In 2006, a new business line was developed and is growing rapidly. CoreNetworks provides on-site data storage for organizations ranging from small to large local, state, national and international businesses; Internet-based businesses; healthcare entities and others. As part of their products and services package, CoreNetworks can maintain and service websites for their customers. Information on these services can be accessed at www.corenetworks.net.

Both Bowman and Summersett see unlimited possibilities for the future of telecommunications. They foresee increased flexibility and limitless mobility in phone services with an emphasis on the individual consumer’s needs and demands. Customization will dominate the marketplace as connectivity grows both in depth and breadth. “Telecommunications will be a digital Disneyland for the industry and for customers,” said Summersett.

For GLC, Bowman anticipates growth both in its customer base and in staff. “Our responsiveness to our customers gives us the edge in service, reliability and ease of use. And, as we grow larger, that core commitment will never change.”