DigitalBridge Communications Corp., or “DBC,” a provider of WiMAX (News - Alert) 4G broadband networks services in underserved and rural America, has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Schurz Communications. Both the companies are planning to announce their joint commercial rollouts during 2010.

 

Founded in 1872, Schurz Communications operates two cable systems offering high-speed data services, 11 daily newspapers, 10 TV stations, 13 radio stations and 25 news and information websites.

 

Per terms of the partnership agreement, both the companies will combine their leading-edge capabilities with DBC engineering, constructing and operating the broadband wireless networks and local Schurz teams promoting, selling and supporting innovative product bundles. Additionally, DBC's deployment capabilities, state-of-the-art network operations center, billing and customer care systems, and solid operating record will further be enhanced by Schurz's long history of trusted local service, company officials said.

 

Kelley Dunne, CEO at DigitalBridge Communications (News - Alert) said that the company believes 4G wireless broadband networks will do for the Internet what cellular networks did for voice communication.

 

“Schurz's strong ‘local voice’ and century-plus history of trusted service will enable us to combine the best of traditional media with the promise of advanced media distribution to accelerate our ability to deliver innovative, 4G wireless services to the communities that need it the most,’ Dunne added.

 

According to DBC officials, the company is one of the first U.S. operators to launch standards-based WiMAX fixed service, WiMAX mobile service and VoIP over WiMAX. Over the past three years, DBC is said to have launched new wireless broadband service in 15 communities nationwide. The company brings fixed broadband wireless services to a variety of customers – residential, business, educational, healthcare and public safety –  and provides mobile broadband services though WiMAX-enabled laptops, netbooks, USB adapters and other portable devices.

 

DBC's open, all-IP network and cost structure enables local Schurz teams to significantly expand broadband service in their markets with minimal operating cost.

 

“We have seen increased consumer demand and usage for broadband services from our cable operations, and our partnership with DBC will allow us to offer high-quality, high-speed, wireless broadband services to our customers and communities,” Todd Schurz, CEO of Schurz Communications, said.

 

Additionally, Schurz said that the company’s newspapers and broadcast station brands already have millions of unique visitors, tens-of-millions of page views and deliver millions of online videos each month.

 

“We anticipate further digital growth as more mobile devices access our content and services at 4G speeds. Schurz is uniquely positioned locally, as we already have significant sales and marketing forces in place to offer this first-of-its-kind partnership,” he said.

 

The current round of financing also includes the following Series B investors: National Rural Telecommunications Cooperative, Paladin Capital Group, CNF Investments, and Novak Biddle Venture Partners.