Christopher Summers

Legendary high-speed fiber networks aren’t built overnight. REV’s story begins with three separate companies and more than 150 years of convergent evolution. In the communications landscape of Louisiana, a handful of nimble providers emerged as local leaders in next-generation internet. These pioneers demonstrated that they could establish larger fiber networks, give better service and deliver more value by focusing on customers and innovation. The original companies that would later form REV included: RTC, originally in Reserve, LA, was founded in 1935 as a single phone line and that has now expanded throughout the entire region. EATEL, originally in Ascension Parish, successfully launched one of the only 100 percent fiber-to-the-home networks in the country. And Vision Communications, who originally served Lafourche Parish and the Grand Isle communities by expanding fiber and gig-speed internet to some of the most southern parts of the state. Although the service areas of the three companies were geographically distant, their values and commitment to customers were nearly identical. In 2011, EATEL acquired Vision Communications, after recognizing the potential for an even larger network. Then later in 2019, RTC and EATEL merged, becoming one of the largest local providers in Louisiana.