BestBuy Buys Speakeasy

The next GeekSquad?

Published on March 27, 2007 By Zoomba In WinCustomize News

BestBuy announced today that they intended to purchase Speakeasy, an independent broadband and IT services provider for around $97 million. This expands BestBuy's small business technology portfolio and grows the electronics retailer in a new direction. Speakeasy will operate as its own business unit, and provide services to small businesses through the Best Buy for Business unit.

Speakeasy was one of the first Internet cafes, having opened in Seattle in 1994. Since then it has expanded to be a relatively prominent player in the voice and data services area, focusing largely on small business customers. It is not yet clear how this purchase will impact existing business, or residential DSL customers.

Comments

Double Zero

on Mar 27, 2007

Speakeasy was one of the first Internet cafes,

And all this time I thought it was a club that served booze during prohibition...

Learn somethin new everyday..LoL

zukakog

on Mar 27, 2007

I thought a Speakeasy was what you talked in, if you worked for The Party.

seldomseen

on Mar 27, 2007

residential DSL customers

Interesting bit. BB has so far been good to me, here in our relatively small town where people know each other on a first-name basis and friendly service and knowledgeable techs are the norm. BB in larger cities, L.A. for one, have been less attentive and knowledgeable. That's just me, based on purchasing and getting tips/info.

I've got the only locally-owned and operated service provider as my IP, and Qwest phone co. as
DSL thru the local guys. I pay a monthly $19 to my IP and a $30 Qwest DSL tab on my phone bill. Spendy. Went with the locals as MSN screwed up my email so badly it was unusable 'til I switched back to the local IP for mail.

Is BB Inc. maybe just going to be a holding co? A service provider via Speakeasy? My first reaction: I like BB as a retailer and online shopping source. If they want to invest in the IP business, will that reflact on what they will offer me, the consumer, to the point I no longer want to do business with them? If this is only about 'BestBuy for Business', it sounds like it won't affect me as a purely residential user.

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