In an effort to simplify its marketing and raise brand awareness, an Eldridge-based telecommunications services company has rebranded to Central Broadband.
The new Central Broadband name encompasses Central Scott Telephone Co., Dixon Telephone Co. and CS Technologies in Eldridge as well as these Wisconsin-based companies: Cuba City Telephone Co., Belmont Telephone Co. and LaGrant Communications.
Despite the change to a unified name, company leaders said the ownership remains the same. The Rye, New York-based LICT is a holding company with subsidiaries in broadband and telecommunications providing services and products in Iowa and Wisconsin.
In an email to the QCBJ, Central Broadband President and CEO Mark Harvey explained the business’ structure. Central Scott Telephone is the parent company of CS Technologies and had previously acquired Dixon Telephone Co. The Cuba City and Belmont companies are owned by LICT and managed by Central Scott Telephone, he said.
“With over a century of commitment to the communities we serve, Central Broadband has been a pioneer in telecommunications services, and will continue our tradition of innovation and customer focus,” the company said in a news release announcing the rebranding. The name change was effective Monday, April 22.
“While our name is new, our dedication to providing cutting-edge products and exceptional service remains unchanged,” the release said. “We thank our customers for their ongoing support and look forward to serving them.”
The rebrand comes as the company continues work on its Rural Fiber build project. According to Mr. Harvey, who took the helm in November of 2022, its Eldridge Fiber project will be completed this year and all its Iowa locations will be served by fiber at the end of 2025. The Wisconsin locations are already served by fiber, he said.
Taking the top leadership role brought Mr. Harvey’s career back full circle to Central Scott where he began in 1994 as an installation repair technician and where his father worked more than 50 years. Mr. Harvey’s father, W. Norman Harvey, had led the company from 1963 to 2007, died at age 87 in February 2022 – nine months before Mark Harvey assumed the company’s leadership role.
“We are looking at all aspects of how we interact with our current and future customers. Customer service has always been our No. 1 priority, we will continue that and become more customer friendly to do business with,” Mr. Harvey told the QCBJ when asked of other changes in the works.
He indicated that Central Broadband still is actively looking for other acquisitions.
For more information on Central Broadband, visit here.
