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48 Doing Business in Connecticut | 2014 SPONSORED REPORT achieve all three of the previous CE 1.0 certifications (MEF 9, 14 and 18). "We keep our focus on quality educa- tion, but that means watching our costs very carefully," said Randy Backus, Direc- tor of Information for Wallingford Public Schools. "Comcast's Metro Ethernet helps deliver fast, reliable and secure telecommu- nications services that are very cost-effec- tive in supporting our educational goals." Recently, Comcast Business was named the fastest growing Ethernet pro- vider in the Vertical Systems Group 2013 U.S. Carrier Ethernet LEADERBOARD. Com- cast Business was also named the Metro Ethernet Forum's (MEF) Service Provider of the Year in its 2013 Carrier Ethernet Awards for North America. In addition, the MEF announced last year that Comcast Business was the first service provider in the world to achieve MEF CE 2.0 Certification. Internet / Business WiFi: When compared to T1 and other business Inter- net offerings, Comcast Business Internet provides customers a cost effective solution that brings speeds up to five times faster than other Internet service providers and additional features such as Business WiFi, Hosted Microsoft® Exchange and Norton™ to further increase productivity and security. "We needed a reliable Internet connec- tion that could support the constant stream of traffic being placed on our network, as well as offer the scalability to grow as we con- tinued to expand," said Carol Adams Dahlke, owner of Ashlawn Farm Coffee in Old Lyme and Old Saybrook. "Comcast is able to do both, and the ability to offer WiFi within our café is the perfect complement to the other state-of-the-art amenities we are already of- fering to our tech-savvy customers." Voice: From small businesses of one to large companies of over 500 employees, reliable, crystal-clear phone service is a top priority. Comcast Business Voice also offers call management features such as hunt group, call holding, call transfer, three-way calling, call forwarding, business directory listings, the ability to receive email or text notification of voice mail, the ability to listen and manage online, and more. The service is also scalable, offering PRI Trunk solutions to help companies make better use of their existing phone system. TV: With Comcast Business TV, compa- nies can select from a great channel line- up to create the right atmosphere, whether for a bar, gym, waiting room or break room. Customers appreciate having access to entertainment and employees can gain a competitive edge with programming that helps them do their job. Comcast Business continually supports Connecticut businesses of all sizes and helps them meet their business objectives by providing no-cost educational seminars and networking events throughout the year across the state, with topics ranging from "How to Build a Small Business Mar- keting Plan" to "Email Marketing" to "How to Utilize Technology to Improve Office Productivity," and more. "Comcast Business is dedicated to helping businesses of all sizes in the communities we serve be successful and productive," said Charlie Tzoumas, Vice President of Comcast Business in the Western New England Region. "We know that a thriving business community leads to a strong economic climate and we do all we can to make sure local companies become better connected, better in- formed, and better able to compete in a truly global marketplace." Comcast Business is also proud to support and be involved in over 40 Cham- bers of Commerce across Connecticut, including Middlesex, Central Connecticut Chambers, West Hartford, Greater Valley, Waterbury, New Haven, and Tolland to name a few. In addition, Comcast Business has a strong partnership with local associa- tions such as CT Technology Council, CT Restaurant Association and CT Conference of Municipalities. Comcast in the Connecticut Community – Looking Forward and Giving Back Comcast is dedicated to helping to strengthen communities in Connecticut and throughout the country where their customers and employees live and work. In fact, last year Comcast was named one of America's most community-minded companies by The Civic 50, a comprehensive survey of S&P 500 companies that best use their time, talent, and resources to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business. Comcast has had a longstanding com- mitment to community service since its founding over 50 years ago and focuses its efforts in three key areas: expanding digital literacy, promoting service and building tomorrow's leaders. In 2013, they provided over $1.8 million to community partners in Connecticut, in the form of Comcast Foundation grants, sponsorships, volunteer hours, courtesy services and in- kind donations. The company partners with a wide range of established national and com- munity organizations, leveraging their lo- cal expertise to deliver maximum impact to local communities. "By working with these national partners, Comcast builds trust and strengthens relationships in the neighborhoods, towns and cities that we serve throughout Connecticut," said Kristen Roberts, Vice President of Public Comcast in Connecticut Comcast Business at the Connecticut Business Expo; Presenting sponsors from 2003 to 2014. > Continued from previous page