EATEL adds cloud-based business services with Venyu acquisition

Gonzales-headquartered EATEL has acquired Baton Rouge-based Venyu for an undisclosed amount, in a move EATEL officials say will allow the telecommunications provider to expand its business service offerings across the Gulf South. “In essence, this is a benefit to the business community. We want them to focus on their core business and leave the technology and telecommunication to us,” says John D. Scanlan, president and vice chairman of EATEL. Venyu, a provider of cloud-based data services that was founded in 1989, operates data centers in Baton Rouge and the Shreveport area. It will now become a wholly owned subsidiary of EATEL, but retain its brand, 75 employees, senior administration and current offices—including its headquarters at the Bon Carré Business Center on Florida Boulevard. Officials with both companies say the acquisition is a great marriage of complementary services, providing mutual growth opportunities. “The EATEL partnership provides Venyu with the additional financial resources needed to capitalize on new growth opportunities and expand our market share beyond our current service area,” says Scott Thompson, Venyu founder and CEO. EATEL, which offers digital TV, Internet and phone service through its fiber network, says the acquisition will allow it to offer cloud-based business services, data storage and Web hosting. The company is currently expanding its fiber network in the Baton Rouge area, and it also recently acquired Vision Communications of Lafourche Parish. —Rachel Alexander