Wichita ? Wichita State University has chosen Cox Communications to be its new telephone service provider.

Cox began offering telephone service in the Wichita area in March.

Cox will provide service to more than 7,000 phone extensions on campus via its fiber optic network.

Kristin Peck, director of public affairs for Cox, said several large companies, as well as smaller businesses, have switched over to Cox telephone service recently. She said it’s because Cox can offer bundled services.

“The selection of Cox Communications was a business decision to assure that our students, faculty and staff are provided quality telecommunications services now and into the future,” said Gary Ott, executive director of university computing and telecommunication services at WSU.

Ott said Cox’s high-speed fiber optic network will create several new opportunities for advanced network applications at WSU.

He said in a news release that Internet access to the campus would be significantly improved.

Cox serves other schools, including Hutchinson Community College, Pittsburg State University, Newman University and Pratt Community College.