Las Vegas role downplayed further at N.Y.-based MGC

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2000 | 10:48 a.m.

MGC Communications Inc., which moved its headquarters from Las Vegas last year, now plans to change its name.

The company, which provides local and long-distance telephone service and Internet access using new digital subscriber line technology, will become known as Mpower Communications Corp., the company announced Wednesday.

"To us, the name Mpower accurately describes our goal as an organization to satisfy customers and embodies our mission to bring the power of Internet-enabled business solutions to customers nationwide," said Rolla Huff, president and chief executive officer of the Rochester, N.Y.-based company.

Huff said the rebranding plan will take place over the next six weeks and next Tuesday, the company will adopt a new Nasdaq ticker symbol: MPWR.

Company officials will ask shareholders to endorse the planned name change at the company's annual meeting in Rochester later this year.

Jeff Hein, a Las Vegas spokesman for the company, said the name change was announced to employees Wednesday and the reaction was positive.

Hein also said Mpower plans a western regional headquarters for the company -- but it won't be in Las Vegas either.

Company executives have decided to make San Diego the regional headquarters for the region that includes California and Nevada. Hein said the decision was made to recruit the top professionals in the telecommunications industry and San Diego is generally perceived as a more appealing place to live than Las Vegas.

"You have to do more than offer attractive salary and benefits," Hein said. "It was thought that San Diego was generally a more appealing place to live."

Hein said the company plans to continue to maintain its workforce of about 500 people in Las Vegas, but some employees may be offered positions in Southern California later this year.

The company has set a goal to offer telephone service in the top 50 U.S. markets by the end of 2000. The company launched most of its technological advancements in Las Vegas and now offers service in Southern California, Chicago, Atlanta and South Florida.