Granite Expands POTS Replacement Solutions by Acquiring Industry Leader EPIK

One-Stop Offering Combines Industry-Best Support and Technology

QUINCY, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Granite Telecommunications LLC, a $1.65 billion provider of communication products and services to multilocation businesses and government agencies, today announced the acquisition of leading POTS replacement device manufacturer OBSM, LLC, d/b/a EPIK. The acquisition enables seamless solutions for entities seeking simplicity, consistency, reliability and savings for alarms, elevators, point-of-sale, voice and other business-critical specialty lines that rely on legacy TDM landlines.

As incumbent carriers continue to reduce support for TDM networks, demand has grown for a reliable, low-cost alternative suitable for critical specialty lines. Until recently, IP replacement products fell short of satisfying performance metrics, including dependable, secure technology to transmit emergency signals over wireless or alternative wireline networks, the expertise to install it across diverse applications and a national footprint, and the ability to manage the entire solution. Granite can now comprehensively address those needs.

According to Granite President and Chief Executive Officer Rob Hale, “Businesses are looking for an easy, cost-effective, single-source POTS replacement to improve reliability, enable consistency across geographies and capture savings. By combining Granite’s one-stop network installation, service and support with EPIK’s patented technology, we can offer customers a technologically robust solution with turnkey implementation and complete management. We’re thrilled to have the EPIK team join us.”

EPIK was one of the first to launch a wireless POTS solution and has since become a recognized technology leader in this space.

“We’re excited to become part of the Granite team and see real customer value in combining our breakthrough, patented EPIK technology with Granite’s proven leadership in delivery of TDM alternatives, execution of complex installations and excellence in customer service,” said Steve Olsen, President of EPIK.

“With Granite’s size and backing, we can deliver the optimal technical solution to businesses stuck on inefficient legacy networks – the future is now,” said Kevan Moshayedi, EPIK’s Founder and Chief Technology Officer.

With the acquisition EPIK, the Granite array of POTS alternative solutions offers:

• Nearly seamless substitution of existing voice lines for alarm, elevator, fax, point of sale, voice circuits and more.
• Reliable analog access with broadband redundancy, dual SIMs and 24-hour battery backup capabilities
• Single point-of-contact and customized billing
• An efficient design and installation process throughout the United States for multilocation deployments
• Real-time monitoring to ensure continued performance, management and support
• Predictable monthly charges with measurable cost savings for extended terms
• Continued support across multiple carrier and service partners

About Granite
Granite delivers one-stop communications solutions to multilocation businesses and government agencies throughout the United States and Canada. The $1.65 billion company serves more than two-thirds of the Fortune 100 companies in the United States and has 1.75 million voice and data lines under management. Granite launched in 2002 and has grown quickly by helping businesses simplify sourcing and management of local and long-distance phone services with one point of contact and one invoice for all their office locations nationwide. Today, Granite is the leader in aggregating Plain Old Telephone Services (POTS) and has extended its unique value proposition – “one company, one contact, one bill” – to include a range of advanced business communications services, including SD-WAN, wireless WAN, hosted PBX, SIP trunking, POTS replacement, mobile voice and data, mobile device management, managed security, network integration and more. Granite employs more than 2,400 people at its headquarters in Quincy, Mass., and nine regional offices nationwide. For more information, visit www.granitenet.com.