The Vermont Hard Cider Company Opts for FirstLight Fiber Metro Ethernet and Internet Service

Maker of Woodchuck Hard Cider Selects FirstLight Fiber for Data and Internet Needs to Support Its Growth


ALBANY, NY--(Marketwired - Oct 30, 2013) -  FirstLight Fiber (formerly known as Tech Valley Communications), a facilities-based telecommunications service provider operating fiber optic networks in Upstate New York and Northern New England with connectivity to Canada, announced today that The Vermont Hard Cider Company, maker of Woodchuck Hard Cider, a leading cider brand in the United States, has chosen FirstLight's Ethernet and Internet services to support the company's growing data needs. 

As the leading hard cider producer in the United States, Vermont Hard Cider has grown out of its existing facility in Middlebury, Vermont and is expanding to a newly designed, state-of-the-art cidery nearby. As such, the Company required a communications provider that could offer scalable data and Internet services to accommodate this expansion.

"Having already been a customer of FirstLight for the past several years, and based on our positive experience with the exceptional service and personalized attention we received, choosing FirstLight was an easy decision," commented Robert Waite, IT Director for Vermont Hard Cider Company. "We've outgrown our existing facility, and we are in the process of expanding to our newly designed cidery. By offering scalable services designed to accommodate growing bandwidth needs, FirstLight has been a key player in our transition, and the connection between our existing and new facilities has been seamless."

FirstLight's Ethernet Private Line (EPL) service is a dedicated, point-to-point Ethernet service, ideally suited to support the demands of bandwidth intensive applications by offering reliable, scalable, point-to-point Ethernet connectivity. 

FirstLight Internet services are provided via FirstLight's robust regional network and delivered to customers via its own fiber optic backbone. To ensure ubiquitous access and maximum performance, FirstLight's Internet transit is backed by a combination of Tier 1 provider connections and numerous private peering arrangements in multiple Northeastern markets.

"FirstLight was built upon the premise that bandwidth requirements are continuously increasing and changing, and it was our goal to provide the reliable, scalable services required to meet those needs. Our privately owned fiber optic network offers virtually unlimited bandwidth, performance and scalability that customers like Vermont Hard Cider Company need to thrive in this digital age," stated Kurt Van Wagenen, President and CEO of FirstLight. "We are excited to serve this local, but world renowned Artisan Company, and look forward to continuing to meet their communications needs."

FirstLight provides a complete portfolio of secure, scalable, high reliability telecommunications solutions backed by a knowledgeable staff.

To learn more about FirstLight, visit www.firstlight.net or follow the Company on Twitter and LinkedIn.

For more information on The Vermont Hard Cider Company, visit www.woodchuck.com.

About FirstLight Fiber

FirstLight Fiber (formerly known as Tech Valley Communications), headquartered in Albany, NY, provides fiber optic data, Internet, colocation and voice services to enterprise and carrier customers in Upstate New York and Northern New England with connectivity to Canada utilizing its own fiber optic network, which spans over 190,000 fiber miles connecting in excess of 1,300 lit buildings. FirstLight offers a robust suite of advanced telecommunications services, including dedicated Internet access, Metro Ethernet, traditional TDM solutions, SIP trunks, virtual PBX and Data Center Colocation. FirstLight's clientele includes national cellular providers and CLECs and many leading enterprises, spanning high tech manufacturing and research, hospitals and healthcare, banking and financial institutions, secondary education, colleges and universities, and local and state governments. FirstLight is the parent company of New Hampshire-based CLEC, segTEL, and recently acquired the assets of Vermont-based CLEC, TelJet. FirstLight is a portfolio company of Boston-based private equity firm Riverside Partners

About Vermont Hard Cider Company, LLC

Vermont Hard Cider Company, located in Middlebury, Vermont, is a leading hard cider producer in the United States, which includes Woodchuck Hard Cider. Having won 16 IMPACT Hot Brand Awards, Vermont Hard Cider Company is recognized for its superior cider brands. Vermont Hard Cider Company handcrafts and manages all levels of quality control in Middlebury, VT by employing a team of cider makers with over 40 years of combined experience directly in cider making and a team devoted exclusively to producing, marketing, and selling hard cider. More information is available at www.woodchuck.com.

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