Cox Looks to Lure Business with High-Speed Net Service

October 2003
Source: Washington Business Journal

The cable company is going commercial. Atlanta-based Cox Communications, which provides residential cable television service in Northern Virginia, has rolled out its high-speed Internet services for business and named Dave Van Alstyne director of the local operations for Cox Business. Van Alstyne, who was been with Cox Communications for several years, is charged with convincing businesses that cable can do just as much -- if not more than -- standard telephone-based Internet service.

The cable company is targeting the Northern Virginia market for a variety of reasons. The biggest, of course, is the critical mass of tech-dependent companies here. From government contractors to accounting and consulting firms, these businesses are connected to the world through the Internet. And high-speed access is a requirement.

This isn't an experiment for Cox. The company offers Internet and even telephone services in other markets in Arizona and California. "Cox has successfully become the communications provider of choice for an increasing number of businesses, educators and government agencies across the nation," Van Alstyne says. Taking on telecom companies that provide the lion's share of Internet service to businesses here doesn't seem to worry Van Alstyne. Cox has competed for the business before, he says, and won.