Inetvisions acquires two local Internet service providers

Two local Internet service providers were acquired by a third company, Inetvisions, LLC. Neighborlink and Aicon were both acquired and their customers are now being serviced by Inetvisions.

Owner Shane Balk said the acquisitions brought the total customers of the ISP to around a thousand people.

After the merger Balk is working to integrate the two new systems into the current one but most people won't notice the change immediately, if at all.

"For now I'm going to integrate their systems and get Neighborlink working," Balk said. "I'm not worrying about other factors right now."

Part of the integration process involves working on the equipment installed in towers around the county.

"We're changing the equipment out," Balk said. "We're just trying to have a good service for everybody."

Balk said his employees were key to his success. Before the merger Balk employed four people and has added two more since.

"I've got a good group of people to work with," Balk said. "My employees are the best. Without my employees it would not be possible to do what we've done.

Inetvisions provides high-speed Internet connectivity to most parts of Vernon County as well as some parts of Bates and Cedar counties.

"It depends on the height of the tower and the terrain," Balk said. "We cover most of Vernon County and into El Dorado Springs and Appleton City and some of Bates County as well."

Inetvisions started small. Balk and a friend started discussing Nevada's plans to have wireless Internet access and eventually developed Inetvisions. Balk and his company were not chosen by the city to partner with and Balk expressed disappointment with that.

"The city went with guys from out of town," Balk said. "It seemed they ignored us."

In addition to his duties at Inetvisions Balk also keeps busy as a network administrator for several local business and governmental organizations.

"I'm network administrator for Bronaugh schools, Metz Bank, the Nevada Library, the Sheriff's office, the courthouse, and Schell City Bank," Balk said.