Avista Communications Purchases Internet Assets

Avista Communications has purchased the Internet customer base and relatd assets of Digital Marketing Inc. in Coeur d’Alene.

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Melanie Rose, a spokeswoman for the Avista Corp. subsidiary, said the deal, which closed Friday, will add 1,500 customers to the 200 who already receive ethernet and other services from Avista Communications.

Those services will be expanded soon, when the company completes installation of a digital switch, she said.

“Acquiring DMI is consistent with our business strategy to quickly penetrate the Coeur d’Alene market with voice and data solutions,” Avista Communications President Greg Green said in a statement.

DMI, founded in 1991, began offering Internet services in 1996. The company also sells computers.

Rose said DMI was one of the largest Internet service providers in the Coeur d’Alene market. A few of the company’s customers are in Spokane and Boise, she said.

DMI’s communications operations had fewer than 10 employees, Rose said. Three technical workers have been hired by Avista Communications, she said, and the office workers have been retained on a temporary basis.

Some may be hired permanently, Rose said.