Tower Communications Group, Inc.

EchoSat was formed as a division of Tower Communications, Inc., and founded by CEO, C. L. "Lee" Rutherford. EchoSat is in the second generation of private ownership. Lee still remains active in the management of EchoSat but is assisted by a hand picked, dedicated team of individuals and two of his three sons. Each team member addresses challenges and solutions with one thought in mind - Our name and reputation rides on every product, service and solution we provide.EchoSat was originally started as a one-way only satellite group. We provided many large national retail chain outlets with customized radio networks. Our most recognizable work was the creation of KMART Radio, the Kmart Radio Network featured in all Kmart stores.In those early years, chains and merchants were forced to communicate via slow dial up connections. With a large number of stores, retail headquarters were unable to "poll" all their stores on the slow dial up networks before their time window closed between the time the store closed and opened. This left the chain headquarters with incomplete sales information, and behind the curve. EchoSat listened to the executives who wanted to get all their information into headquarters in time for specific management, ordering, shipment decisions. EchoSat started designing the EchoSat system for both "pull and push", sending and receiving information. EchoSat made it possible for headquarters to tie all their stores into one network system for fast, reliable communications.As time progressed, it became apparent that not only did headquarters need timely information for decisions, but the customer would no longer tolerate long lines and delays at the cash register or gasoline pump. EchoSat created a private network infrastructure for POS transaction transport that included redundant private connections to major credit network processors and their back up hosts. Merchants soon discovered that customers could get through the cash register lines much faster, making them happier and more loyal. Merchants also found that they were likely to save money on the processing costs from their credit networks by having a dedicated connection versus a dial up network.Today, EchoSat SPG operates one of the most sophisticated, high-speed Secure Payment Gateway (SPG) networks in the United States. Now merchants can utilize EchoSat SPG service on any broadband connection, whether it's DSL, cable, wireless or satellite. If the merchant has a location that is not within reach of traditional broadband connectivity, EchoSat provides a high-speed EFT and Internet service utilizing the latest in cellular and IP satellite technology.Through all of the growth, EchoSat has maintained its core philosphies. We are dedicated to listening to the customer, and providing highly, reliable, secure, robust and cost-effective communications solutions. We keep close a primary truth, that we are in the people business; helping people find solutions to their communication challenges. EchoSat talks to customers, deploys the right solutions at the most cost-effective price, and we dedicate ourselves to excellent service, 24x7x365.