urity, a data center, or a software application such as security for customers that are implemented and man- aged by a provider. Acquisitions and data services have often resulted in geographic expansion. While independent telephone companies are often the only choice consumers in rural areas have for home telephone and cable TV service, these phone companies frequently face competition from mobile providers. In response, some independents have built their own mobile networks; others resell mobile services that they purchase wholesale. This is the case with Frontier Communications, which offers its customers mobile services on the Verizon Wireless network. Independent telephone companies also compete with cable TV operators in parts of their territories. In response to competition from large cable TV operators, compa- nies such as Frontier sell deeply discounted satellite TV, where they don't have their own infrastructure for cable TV. The following are examples of two independent telephone companies. Cincinnati Bell, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, offers service in south- western Ohio, and northern and southeastern Kentucky. It is hoping to grow and expand its offerings through its 2010 acquisition of CyrusOne. CyrusOne manages data centers for its installed base of small and midsize business customers. It operates seven data centers in Texas and is planning to build a new one in London. Frontier Communications, formally called Citizens Communications Corpo- ration, is headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut. It purchased 4.8 million rural phone lines from Verizon Communications in 2010, giving it a total of 5.6 million phone lines. It is attempting to offset losses in revenue from voice services by building up its broadband offerings to consumers and busi- ness customers in its coverage areas. Agents Agents act as independent representatives for carriers. Like insurance agents, a carri- er's agent receives commissions on services that it sells. AT&T, Verizon, and Century- Link started agent programs as a way