Paetec threatens larger telcos

Who: Paetec

History: The carrier is a CLEC based in Rochester, NY, founded nine years ago by current CEO Arunas Chesonis and partners. It's mostly focused on the business market.

Why you should care: Paetec just moved to acquire McLeodUSA, a deal that will give it more access lines than all but the five largest telcos in the country. The combined company will have 3.4 million access lines and a presence in 47 of the top 50 markets in the country.

For more:
- read this follow-up on the acquisition in The Washington Post