Penton Media to Launch CLEC Magazine

Posted on June 23, 1999

Penton Media, Inc. has announced it will launch CLEC Magazine in October 1999 and CLECexpo Fall '99, to be co-located with Penton's existing ISPCON Fall '99, Oct. 26-28, 1999, at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, CA. Both CLEC Magazine (the premier issue will be distributed at the show) and CLECexpo are created and produced by the Boardwatch Magazine/ISPCON group out of Penton's Golden, CO, office.

``The CLEC market is extremely diverse, and is staged for exciting growth and development,'' said Thomas L. Kemp, chief executive officer of Penton Media. ``The media products we are developing will play a direct role in shaping this market, which is just beginning to realize its potential.'' Kemp noted that Penton is highly focused on expanding its media offerings in market segments that demonstrate dynamic growth potential, both through product launches and acquisition.

``We have identified the CLEC market as one of explosive growth and expansion. With an estimated $2.1 billion in planned infrastructure purchases by next year alone, there is definitely a lot of ground to cover with this magazine, the trade show and a companion Web site that will provide access to real-time business information,'' stated Brian Noto, publisher/general manager of Boardwatch Magazine and ISPCON. ``This is a burgeoning market of service providers comprised of facilities-based CLECS, startups, ISPs, ASPs, cable operators and several non-traditional carriers poised to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the Telecommunications Act of 1996.''

CLEC Magazine is currently slated for bimonthly publication with an initial targeted circulation will be 14,500. This includes 3,000 registered CLECs, 1,500 companies considering CLEC status and 10,000 subscribers who are in the Internet services business, such as ISPs, Cable Telephony Operators, Wireless Local Loop Providers and Application Service Providers. Editorial will focus on emerging technologies, nuts-and-bolts tutorials, marketing and finance strategy information, as well as the word on the street concerning mergers, alliances and associations from industry pundits. Product testing, regulatory issues and industry events and newsworthy individuals also will be covered.