Five Questions With: Ross Nelson

Ross L. Nelson was recently promoted to vice president of Cox Business Sales for the company’s Northeast region. Nelson talked with Providence Business News about his plans in his position, and some of the changes in the industry.

PBN: Tell me about your background. How did you get involved in this business?
NELSON:
I’ve been in this business for 25 years and it is as exciting now as it was then. Something’s always new and changing; as a matter of fact change is sometimes the only constant. After graduating Bryant University in 1988 I worked for several telecom companies including MCI and AT&T. I gravitated towards this industry because it was a hot industry with innovative, exciting and challenging opportunities. I started working for Cox Business in 2000 and led the development of the northeast system to become the top producing team in the country.

PBN: How has the cable industry changed, and how has technology changed since you arrived at Cox in 2000?
NELSON:
When I first started at Cox it was just a cable television company. Today it is a full service telecommunications company that is so much more than just video. We provide more speed and bandwidth at a much lower cost. Cox Business partners with its customers to create custom networks that provide businesses with continuity and disaster recovery, satisfying their unique needs whether they are for a true small business or for a large organization like many of the leading hospitals and universities. Whether a business needs a 10 mb or 10 gigs, we are here to service their needs. Every year we make investments that upgrade and improve our network and equipment to provide the best service possible.

PBN: What is the company’s commercial business strategy that you will be working on?
NELSON:
This year Cox Business is focusing on managed services and Cox Business Security Solutions. Our most successful Managed Voice solution is IP Centrex, which hosts voice services that provides mobility, portability and disaster recovery in a seamless, cost effective way that frees businesses from having to worry about these issues. Cox Business Security Solutions provides detection and surveillance using Cox’s network to manage and maintain it. It is a new product for us and we are excited about the positive reception we are receiving from the market.

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PBN: What are some of the challenges facing RI businesses and how can Cox help?
NELSON:
Business is getting more and more competitive and global. We’re therefore changing telecom and managed services from an expense to be managed to an asset to be leveraged to help our customers create a competitive advantage. As telecommunications experts we bring the latest technology to businesses so they can focus on what they do best – business. Cox Business covers roughly the entire state with voice, video and data services. In fact our Internet services offer speeds up to 10 Gig.

PBN: Is the market in RI much different than in CT and Ohio – your other areas?
NELSON:
The main difference is Cox essentially services the entire state of Rhode Island, unlike Connecticut and Ohio where we serve particular communities. From a business aspect there is less of a difference. Cox Business’ core is small and medium sized businesses. We are heavily involved in the local chambers of commerce as well as the local business community. Cox Communications has announced that it will bring one gigabit speeds to residential customers in all of its markets by the end of 2016. Cox has been deploying gigabit speeds to businesses for more than 10 years.

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