Taking Care of CLEC Customers Jim Marsh 
Customers are a CLEC's lifeblood. Columnist Jim Marsh discusses how to treat customers and compares them to a CLEC's precious jewels.

Make Your CLEC Succeed Jim Marsh 
Many CLECs fail because of their failure to properly map processes and assign responsibilities. Columnist Jim Marsh shows how can you guarantee CLEC success by flowing processes to a high level of detail.

Successful Planning and the Outsource Option Jim Marsh 
To build a successful CLEC, you need a plan, as well as staff, and funds to support the operation as you build it. But have you considered the outsource option to help you get there?

EtherLECs and Security David Piscitello 
EtherLEC service providers appreciate the importance of security, but the nature and extent of necessary security services depends on many factors. Columnist David Piscitello investigates the security offerings from three EtherLECs: Telseon, XO Communications, and Yipes, and offers his analysis and advice.

Start a New CLEC? What Are You Thinking? Jim Marsh 
Launching a new CLEC is no simple project. If you're pondering such an idea, read Jim Marsh's discussion that is a dose of reality and a splash of cold water.

Partnering With A Managed Security Provider Lisa Phifer
Increasingly, small business customers are looking to CLECs to complement broadband access with security services. And a growing number of managed Internet security providers stand ready to provide this. But is this a viable way for CLECs to offer security? Lisa Phifer explains. 

Making the Most of Value-Added Partnering Joel Maloff 
Almost all CLECs can use an extra edge that distinguishes them from their competition. Columnist Joel Maloff explores the considerable benefits of value-added partnering, and how it can enhance your firm's product offerings.

BLECS: A New CLEC Opportunity Gerry Blackwell 
Are multi-tenant environments (MTEs) the big new CLEC opportunity? Columnist Gerry Blackwell discusses what a BLEC is, and the potentially huge market opportunity for CLECs.

ASP Or Not To ASP Joel Maloff 
As a CLEC, have you considered the possibility of offering applications as an additional source of revenue? Columnist Joel Maloff explores the ins and outs of becoming an ASP.

Auditing for Dollars Jim Marsh 
Dollar for dollar, audits can reap huge benefits for CLECs. Columnist Jim Marsh discusses audit basics, and shows how some CLECs are leaving money on the table. 

To Re-Brand or Not to Re-Brand Gerry Blackwell 
A CLEC's brand is one of its most important assets. Columnist Gerry Blackwell shows how NextLink recently transformed itself into XO Communications to reinvent, and take itself to the next level.

Business-to-Business or All Things to All People Joel Maloff 
One of the major decisions that CLECs must make is choosing whether to focus on customers or clients. Columnist Joel Maloff discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches.

Paving the way for Broadband Content Delivery David M. Piscitello 
Instead of searching for that single "killer app" that brings broadband local access into the mainstream, growth and acceptance could lie in simply adding innovation to the delivery. Columnist David Piscitello profiles companies that are developing new delivery services that the public may ultimately demand.

Building Customer Loyalty Gerry Blackwell 
How do you get customers to stay with you when a competitor continually slashes its prices? Read how one CLEC is keeping customers with a program that resembles an airline's frequent flier club.

How Does a CLEC Get Started? Jim Marsh 
How does a CLEC begin to build its business? Columnist Jim Marsh explains concepts that new CLECs need to keep in mind.

CLEC/ISP Opportunities Take off Internationally Joel Maloff
As a CLEC, have you considered expanding internationally? Columnist Joel Maloff presents the international opportunity for CLECs and profiles firms that are successfully stretching their boundaries. 

Integrity and Truth for Superior Customer Relations Jim Marsh 
How can a CLEC offer the finest customer service that it can? Columnist Jim Marsh explores ways that an organization can improve its overall service and keep customers satisfied. 

Protecting Against Fraud Jim Marsh 
Is your firm safe from fraud? Columnist Jim Marsh discusses the risk and how to deal against it. 

Voice Alternatives for DSL David M. Piscitello 
Is it time for your firm to make a move into the voice market? Columnist David Piscitello discusses the various voice technologies, how to choose one based on what you already offer, the issues that are independent of the voice technology you choose, and more. 

DSL Line Sharing: Ready, Set, Go Lisa Phifer
Line sharing grants CLECs access to the same access enjoyed by ILECs. Columnist Lisa Phifer discusses benefits and some disadvantages, and the current state of line sharing.

Walking the Line with Risky Customers Jim Marsh 
Billed revenue is not necessarily paid revenue. Columnist Jim Marsh discusses how risk managers evaluate credit customers, and how a CLEC can do a better job of collecting the money that's due. 

Can Broadband Fixed Wireless Improve Your Bottom Line? David M. Piscitello 
Broadband wireless can be the ticket to quickly providing service to some customers. Columnist David M. Piscitello explains the various technologies, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages, and the basics of going wireless. 

The Building-Centric Strategy Gerry Blackwell 
Can a building-centric marketing strategy work for most CLECs? Marketing columnist Gerry Blackwell talks about  how the strategy works, and profiles OnSite Access, a company that is making the concept fly.

Why CLECs Need Convergent Billing  Lisa Phifer 
Billing is at the heart of your company's business operations, but efficiently billing for disparate services is difficult.  Columnist Lisa Phifer describes the ins and outs of convergent billing and why CLECs should think seriously of moving toward it.
CLECTechnology

Increase Revenues From Existing Customers Tamra Burgwardt 
Getting new customers isn't the only way to increase revenues. Creative marketers also can create surprisingly large revenue increases from existing customers. Tamra Burgwardt provides some very specific tips about how to do this.

Generic Proceedings Can Resolve Conflicts With ILECs Peter L. Gardon  
Conflicts with incumbent carriers are all too common.  But a method of resolving those conflicts, called generic proceedings, is emerging.  Legal columnist Peter L. Gardon reviews this type of conflict resolution and explains how it can save CLECs time and money.

Finding The Niches Gerry Blackwell 
Taking advantage of clear market opportunities is the key to success. Read how Genesis Communications is targeting the U.S. Hispanic market. 

CLECs As ISPs: Hosting and Colocation Opportunities Joel Maloff  
CLECs who also want to be Internet service providers can add to their earnings with Web hosting and providing co-location services.  Columnist Joel Maloff continues his exploration of opportunities for CLEC/ISPs.

DSL: What's Wrong With This Picture? David M. Piscitello 
DSL is commonly offered by CLECs.  But are you providing true broadband service in the most efficient, cost-effective way possible?  Technical Columnist David M. Piscitello describes some of the barriers CLECs face when offering DSL and how to overcome them.

Special Construction: The Hidden Charge John P. Kern
Even if you carefully negotiate your interconnection agreement, you still can pay lots of money if the incumbent carrier claims that an unbundled network element is not available. Columnist John P. Kern tells you how to protect your interests from these hidden special construction costs. 

What Do Telecom Customers Want? Tamra Burgwardt
In today's fast-paced, hyper-competitive market, it's tempting to compete on price or try to become the McTelco of telecom providers.  Columnist Tamra Burgwardt discusses why success often hinges on being more discerning.

Revenues From ISPs Perilous To CLECs John Kern
CLECs figured out quickly that there's money to be made under reciprocal compensation agreements by terminating calls to ISPs.  However, times are changing and CLECs now pursue that source of revenue at their peril.

When ILECs Merge  John Kern
ILEC mergers can leave a CLEC's business operations in the lurch. Here are some practical steps to take when your incumbent carrier merges with another. 

CLECs As ISPs: Connectivity Options Joel Maloff 
It's logical, and sometimes necessary, for CLECs to become Internet service providers.  But what about the dizzying array of connectivity options?  Columnist Joel Maloff starts sorting out those options in this column.

CLECs As ISPs: Opportunities and Perils Joel Maloff 
For some CLECs, the Internet is the promised land.  But it's not as easy as you'd think to get there.  Consultant Joel Maloff discusesses the potential rewards and the issues you must surmount.

The CLEC-ISP Connection: Beginning The Discussion Joel Maloff 
ISPs want to be CLECs and CLECs want to be ISPs.  It makes a lot of sense for both. The discussion begins with this column from consultant Joel Maloff.

Reciprocal Compensation For ISP Traffic: What's The Future?  Peter L. Gardon 
CLECs love ISP traffic because it generates reciprocal compensation.  But will this revenue stream continue?  Legal columnist Peter L. Gardon describes the regulatory environment and discusses the future.

Interconnection Agreements: What You Need To Know  Peter L. Gardon  
So you think the Telecommunications Act is clear about interconnecting with an incumbent?  Think again.  Here are the legal ins and outs. 

Getting Beyond Selling On Price  Tamra Burgwardt
You can only lower your prices so much.  Constantly eroding margins make it imperative that you differentiate yourself on other factors. Columnist Tamra Burgwardt gives you some ideas.

Marketing Amidst The Clutter  Tamra Burgwardt
There's no shortage of competition in the telecommunications business.  So how do you differentiate yourself?  Start with creativity and add a healthy dose of persistence.