Plaidophile

Just got this email today:

Dear Speakeasy Members,

Today is an historic and exciting day for Speakeasy.

I am pleased to announce that Speakeasy has been acquired by Best Buy, an innovative and growing Fortune 100 company and the top consumer electronics retailer in North America. This is a significant milestone for our company as our new relationship will help us realize our goals of becoming the No. 1 provider of voice and data solutions to small businesses. It is important to note that though Speakeasy will now be a wholly owned subsidiary of Best Buy, we will continue to operate as a standalone, independent operating division with headquarters in Seattle.

Speakeasy will be an important part of the Best Buy For Business service that delivers simple, reliable, and affordable technology solutions to small businesses. Speakeasy's array of broadband voice, data and managed services offerings will be the focal point of the Best Buy For Business communications solutions.

This agreement is a major step forward for our company. While our business remains strong, our relationship with Best Buy provides us with additional resources and brand recognition, while opening new sales channels which will dramatically accelerate our growth.

Best Buy, like Speakeasy, is known for its high level of customer service. Our reputation as a trusted provider of voice and data services with stellar customer service will not change. Our values are similar too -- Best Buy shares our customer passion, respect for individuals, and drive to do the right thing while achieving results.

All aspects of your service will continue to be managed by Speakeasy and the excellent service and support you expect will continue uninterrupted.

Best Regards,
Bruce Chatterley
President & CEO, Speakeasy, Inc.

I hope this will be as hands-off and beneficial as they say, but my opinion of Best Buy is pretty low. Plus, I can't help but think that accelerated growth might hurt what I like so much about Speakeasy, in that they have always been good about keeping their infrastructure up to snuff with their subscriber base and so on.

It sounds like it's mostly for the VoIP side of things (which I don't use) though, and not so much for the DSL. I just really hope that Best Buy's greater "we are retailers of RIAA and MPAA stuff" self doesn't start to make things difficult for those of us who enjoy the freedom of having essentially a raw IP connection.