LAS VEGAS -- Industry Retail Group, a wholesale provider of services to retailers throughout the U.S. and internationally, will use Broadwing’s Converged Network to offer voice and data services, the two companies announced today.

IRG links multi-site locations with broadband services and provides secure, managed service offerings. The company operates a carrier-grade network and interconnects with multiple other service providers, but is increasingly relying on Broadwing, according to Gabriel Martinex, CTO of IRG.

“Our customers relay on the IRG network to be the foundation for revenue-driving ROI applications and to help improve employee efficiency,” he said in a prepared statement. “Broadwing provides the flexibility to allow us to meet those goals.”

The IRG deal is a significant one for Broadwing because it showcases the role its network plays for a carrier, said Jamey Heinze, senior director of data product management.

“We are able to give them the flexibility to package a service for their retail customers,” he said. “Carriers are coming to us, despite the competition, for what our Converged Network can help them deliver.”

IRG has been working with Broadwing since last fall and is now turning up its first commercial customers, he said.