Our History
William F. Brossman operated a 100-acre farm in the Red Run area in the early 1900's. As a sideline he acted as a sales agent for a fertilizer company. Brossman needed to contact his customers, but the only telephone system available had 32 parties on a line. This made it almost impossible to use the line during the day- that was the reason he had to make calls at 4 a.m. But at that time, reaching an operator to make a call always proved interesting.
After Brossman's frustrating early morning experience, he decided to start his own telephone company. He enlisted the support of several farmer friends in the Ephrata area. On May 11, 1911, the DENVER AND EPHRATA TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY was granted its charter by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and opened its first exchange. From the beginning the new company faced stiff competition. The rivalry between companies went on for a number of years. It was not long before the community realized that D&E was providing better service than its competitors.
As a company built on the goal of providing the best service possible, D&E has developed a tradition for technological innovation. While D&E places great importance on maintaining excellent quality of service on a day-to-day basis, researching new technologies and developing the best ways to deliver them to each customer is also a constant focus for the company.
In the past decade, D&E has started an Internet company, launched a telephone company in Poland, developed a Systems Integration division capable of providing Information Technology support for any business, and developed a Digital TV product that delivers the TV signal via a phone line instead of the traditional cable line. During that time, we’ve also strengthened and expanded our territory through the acquisition of Conestoga Enterprises.
From its inception, D&E has endeavored to provide its customers with the best communications service possible through the use of modern technology and quality maintenance. Throughout its history D&E has upgraded its equipment as better technologies became available. As a result of its quest to provide the best telephone communications possible, D&E was the first company in Lancaster County to introduce a number of services to its customers.
Currently, D&E is the 19th largest telephone company in the United States. D&E's switching network is a highly advanced digital network interconnected with fiber optics. The company has invested heavily not only in technology, but also in its personnel. Training for employees at all levels is a high priority. D&E's employee base now exceeds 500 individuals.
SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN D&E'S HISTORY
1911–On May 11 the company is granted its Charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
1926–D&E became the only telephone company serving the Ephrata and Lititz exchanges.
1932–Purchase of the Manheim Telephone Company rounded out D&E’s service territory, as it exists today.
1934 –D&E installs its first dial telephone office in Adamstown.
1949–D&E became one of the first telephone companies in the nation to have all lines serviced by automatic dial equipment.
1956–All exchanges joined the nationwide long distance dialing network. D&E changed to 2 letters, 5 digit telephone numbers.
1962–Direct Distance Dialing (DDD) equipment installed for all D&E customers.
1963–D&E became the first telephone company in Lancaster County to install Improved Mobile Telephone Service (IMTS).
1965–D&E started D&E Cable TV, Inc.
1970–D&E began offering personal pager service.
1973–D&E became the first telephone company in Lancaster County to offer Emergency 911 service.
1975–First computer-controlled central office in Lancaster County installed in Manheim.
1984–D&E's first fiber optic cable went into service. D&E became the first telephone company in Lancaster County to offer digital telephone service.
1986–D&E began offering cellular mobile telephone service.
1988–D&E became the first company of its size nationally to have all digital switching.
1993–Brossman Business Complex opens.
1995–D&E started its first Internet operation
1996–D&E Communications began trading on NASDAQ
1998–D&E acquired Compuspirit and ASI, launching D&E into the Systems Integration business
2000–Launched Jazzd Internet Services
2001–Introduced the NOC (Network Operations Center) for handling customer repair calls
2002–D&E acquired Conestoga Enterprises which included the Conestoga Telephone and Buffalo Valley Telephone Company
2003–D&E launched Digital TV in the Lewisburg area
2006-D&E reached 99% broadband penetration
2006- D&E Implemented IP Softswitch
2006- D&E Implemented IP/MPLS backbone
