Consolidated Communications announces sale of Operator Services division
MATTOON – Consolidated Communications Inc. announced today the sale of its Operator Services unit to Terabyte Holdings, LLC, (THLLC) a Missouri corporation based in St. Louis, Missouri.
Consolidated Operator Services (COS) provides directory assistance and other operator services for Consolidated Communications as well as several other telecommunications providers through its centers in Mattoon and Taylorville and has been a part of the company for more than 116 years. While Consolidated Communications announced its plans earlier in 2010 to phase out its Operator Services business, the company’s strong desire to retain jobs locally was a key driver in pursuing a buyer with like interests and has resulted in the center remaining in Mattoon and all employees being offered jobs with the new owner.
Under the agreement, the Mattoon center will eventually move to another location in the city but plans to retain approximately 74 full- and part-time employees. The Taylorville center will close by Nov. 30 and the 13 Customer Agents have been offered employment in Mattoon.
Also part of the agreement, THLLC will become Consolidated Communications’ Operator Services provider for its message center, directory assistance and operator services for its customers in Illinois, Texas and Pennsylvania. In turn, THLLC becomes a key customer of local and long distance networks services for Consolidated Communications.
Brian Carr, Vice President, Sales, said he’s pleased the Mattoon operator center will remain whole with a new owner. “We’re glad so many jobs could be retained and our customers will continue to benefit from skilled, experienced operators,” continued Carr. “In addition, we retain the operator center on our network, avoiding new costs and gaining a long-term customer.”
The sale is expected to close on November 30.
