From: Clarksburg Exponent Telegram
Sunday, May 27, 2007

Expanding broadband

Buckhannon business extending wireless service in counties

BUCKHANNON - Micrologic Inc. began in the back bedroom at Emiel butcher's home in 1993. The business now has expanded wireless broadband service into Upshur, Randolph, Barbour, Lewis, Harrison and Marion counties.

Michael Sherrell, vice president, forecasts job growth with the company.

"For three years we have been constructing our network, building our infrastructure," Sherrell said.

Micrologic Inc. recently activated new towers in Harrison County and in Lewis County. Also, additional towers were activated in Upshur County to further expand broadband coverage in the state.

Micrologic Inc., a data contracting company, offers fiber optic cabling and networking, wireless networking, sales and service of telephone systems, commercial and residential burglar and fire alarms and industrial automation.

Wireless high-speed Internet is provided by Micrologic Inc. though its subsidiary, 3WLogic, with speed starting at 1 mbps down to 384 kbps. 3WLogic can also offer a bundle with both Internet and digital phone service, according to Butcher.

"We can offer services so people can get broadband Internet connection as well as local and long distance phone service, including caller ID, voice mail and three-way calling, all for under $50," Butcher said.

"We will continue to add towers and continue to grow into other counties, as well," Butcher said. "We cover a lot of metropolitan areas, such as Clarksburg, Bridgeport, and Elkins. We also have coverage in the outlying areas where they can't get other coverage."

"We are very competitive as a broadband provider," said Michael Sherrell, vice president.

"We offer both broadband and telephone service. Other companies can resell Verizon or some other phone. We sell and service our own," Sherrell said.

Stephen Foster, director of the Upshur County Development Authority, said the company is "providing a service, one of the first in the area to offer broadband service to people."

"... While large companies who employ many people are important, I would rather have a dozen companies like Micrologic than one large one. Large companies come, and large companies go. And when they go, it hurts. At least 90 percent of the businesses in the state are smaller companies with less than 20 employees. They are the backbone of the economy especially in West Virginia," Foster said.