HAWAIIAN TELCOM SELECTS NEW DIRECTORY ASSISTANCE PROVIDER - Continuity of Service Assured

Hawaiian Telcom has chosen Pacific Telecom, Inc. (PTI) to provide directory assistance services (411) to its customers beginning in May 2008. In March, Metro One Telecommunications (Metro One), Hawaiian Telcom’s current directory assistance services provider, announced it was withdrawing from the directory assistance business nationwide, including in Hawaii. Since that announcement, the company has had discussions with and evaluated a number of alternative directory services providers, resulting in the selection of PTI.

Numerous factors were considered in evaluating each provider, including: an established track record of quality service; the ability to minimize customer service impacts during transition; the ability to provide additional directory services; and a willingness to commit to stringent quality standards.

“We looked at a lot of different providers and many different factors, and when all things were considered, PTI was clearly the best provider for the company and our customers going forward,” said Rob Harrell, Senior Manager - 24-Hour Service Center for Hawaiian Telcom. “While there were less costly alternatives available, Hawaiian Telcom selected PTI because customer service was the primary driver in the decision making.”

PTI, based in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, provides telecommunication service, including directory assistance, to the Commonwealth and Guam. The Northern Mariana Islands are a commonwealth in political union with the United States.

The transition to PTI is expected to be completed over the next 60 days. To ensure that there will be minimal impact to its customers, Hawaiian Telcom has made arrangements with Metro One to assist in the transition and to continue to provide directory assistance service until PTI takes over.

About Hawaiian Telcom
Hawaiian Telcom is the state’s leading telecommunications provider, offering a wide spectrum of telecommunications products and services, which include local and long distance service, high-speed Internet, wireless services, and print directory and Internet directory services.