Need fast Internet access?Try renting custom space

Small companies in need of high-speed Internet access without the cost of investing in a lot of equipment now can turn to the latest concept in
executive suites.

Front Range Internet Inc., one of the largest full-service Internet providers in Fort Collins, soon will begin leasing office space to companies that want
high-speed connections.

The firm will move into approximately 5,700 square feet in the newly-refurbished Loomis Building in Old Town Fort Collins, up from its current
1,800 square feet.

However, approximately 2,000 square of the company’s new offices will be subleased to tenants who want to be close to the Internet.

“We’ll lease 200- to 500-square-foot offices to companies that want high-speed Internet access,´ said Bill Ward, president of the company.

Additionally, Front Range is keeping its existing 1,800 square feet on Linden Street for the same purpose of subletting to firms needing Internet
access.

Less than a year since launching their own Internet business, Ward and son Brad not only are moving their business but also are doubling classroom
space and expanding their equipment.

“We want our people to operate more efficiently,” he said. “We basically need more space for our nine employees.”

In the face of many other Internet providers in Northern Colorado, Front Range maintains an edge, Ward said, because of the service it provides.

“We think it’s because of our support staff,” he said. “If somebody has a problem, they can call and talk to a human being.

“Most of our calls are from people having trouble getting on-line,” he said.

The firm has customers from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs. And already “a couple of takers” have expressed interest in subletting from Front
Range Internet. No tenants have been announced yet, though.

Despite the plethora of Internet companies, Ward believes there is enough Internet business to go around. He said that even now, only 1 percent of the
market uses the Internet.

“Our main emphasis is to make sure they like us,” he said.

“We believe we’re the largest or close to the largest local provider in the region,” Ward added.

Still, he thinks that not only will his company continue to grow, but so will his primary competition. Right now, competition primarily comes from
FortNet, Page Plus, Veri Net and others.

In addition to acquiring more square footage, Ward expects to add two or three employees during the next year.

“I don’t anticipate needing more than that in our current business plan,” Ward said. “We want to stay lean and keep prices down.”

Front Range Internet also is expanding its classroom offerings. The new headquarters allow for a doubling from eight to 16 workstations. Until now,
classroom offerings have focused primarily on Internet classes.

“We may branch out and teach standard computer classes,” Ward said. “And if a consultant wants to come in and teach, they can rent our space.”

As for the rapid expansion inside of one year, Ward says simply that business has been good.

He declined to discuss specific revenue numbers or expansion costs.

Ward has a long history of doing high-speed networking in the aerospace defense industry. He most recently worked at Martin Marietta Corp., now
Lockheed Martin. Son Brad is a Colorado State University graduate who worked at GIS World.

“My son convinced me this was a good market,” Ward said.