Aug 09
19
Snap!VRS is buying Viable Communications!
![viable_logo_seethru_thumb[2]](http://www.doncullen.net/wp-content/uploads/viable_logo_seethru_thumb2.png "viable_logo_seethru_thumb[2]"){kind=logo}
Just found out about this.
From the article:
Pearl River, N.Y. — Snap!VRS announced today its plans to acquire Viable Communications, Inc. The companies reached agreement on Friday and will immediately begin the difficult work of stabilizing Viable’s business operations and restoring the confidence of its significant constituent base.
Current Snap!VRS and Viable customers can continue to expect quality service as the transaction is finalized.
"Viable has been a formidable competitor and a major contributor to the VRS industry. We’ve always been very impressed with the company’s commitment to and connection with the deaf community. Pairing our respective synergies will create a company capable of servicing the deaf community unlike any other," said Snap!VRS President & CEO, Tom Kielty.
"Snap!VRS is an industry leader in setting the highest ethical standard, and we are happy to be supported by such a well-respected team," said John Yeh, President of Viable. "By joining the Snap!VRS team, we will be able to continue serving our loyal customers while continuing our commitment to our employees, the industry, and most importantly the deaf community."
More details of the transaction and the opportunities that it creates for customers will be made available in the next few months.
Interesting. I wonder what this bodes for Snap!VRS’s Ojos, and Viable’s VPADs. I’m looking forward to be hearing just how this new direction will affect the VRS industry. I’m also very curious as to how Snap!VRS/Viable Communications will be handling the recent situation with the enforcement authorities. Snap!VRS has already mentioned this in their FAQ of the email they sent out to their newsletter subscribers:
What about some of the rumors I heard about Viable and FBI investigations?
It is not our place to say anything about any investigations in the past, but Snap!VRS customers – as well as Viable customers – should expect nothing less than the highest and strictest ethical standards from their VRS provider.
Interesting spin.
The rumors they’re referring to are the ones about Viable Communications being allegedly investigated by the FBI for alleged Telecommunications Fraud. Basically the allegation is that they were deliberating running up illegal minutes in order to obtain large amounts of revenue from the FCC from relay calls. Whether the company is the one being investigated or not, and whether the company is guilty of the aforementioned charges remains to be confirmed. Check out this PDF as shared by EdsAlerts.com.
In the PDF file, it specifically states (emphasis added by me):
13. Company 2 is a Delaware corporation established in 2005 and is headquartered in Rockville, Maryland. According to NECA, Company 2 operates call centers, or subcontracts to others the operation of call centers in, among other places, Rockville, Towson, and Baltimore, Maryland, Austin, Texas, New York City, New York, and Colonia, New Jersey. Company 2 is not a certified VRS provider that can bill directly to NECA/F CC. Instead, beginning in 2006, Company 2 billed for VRS through Company 1. According to Company 1’s representation to the FCC, in 2008, Company 2 was responsible for approximately 60% of the VRS minutes billed by Company 1.
As per Viable’s website, their address just so happens to be:
5301 Marinelli Rd
Rockville, MD 20852
According to Viable’s website, specifically the Company Newsroom in the Quick Facts tab, the company was founded in September 2005.
Draw your own conclusions. I pretty much think the facts speak for themselves. I look forward to be seeing how this plays out.
Posted in Deafness The Corporate Scene by .
