Primary Network was started in 1995 as a full-service Internet Service Provider in the St. Louis Market. In 1997 Primary expanded to Kansas City. Also in 1997 Primary Network formed Primary Communications which filed for CLEC status. (Click here to see the complete timeline). In 1998 Primary Communications rolled out their facilities-based DSL product with Primary Network began selling. In 1999 Primary Network Holdings Company raised $53 million and began expansion of their footprint throughout MO, Kan, IL, and Oklahoma. Primary Network also acquired 16 ISPs within these areas and ultimately built out 120 central offices with DSL facilities. In June of 2000 Primary Holdings was sold to Mpower Communications for $145 million. At its peak Primary Network had over 100,000 dial-up subscribers and an annual run-rate of $35 million. In 2001 Mpower Communications made the decision to move out of the Midwest markets and some of the original management team of Primary Network bought back most of the St. Louis and Kansas City business Internet assets. Today Primary Network, which is owned by River City Internet Group (http://www.rcig.net) a St. Louis based Internet delivery system holding company, offers dial-up, ISDN, DSL, T1 , e-Port (10 MB), DS3, and wireless solutions.
