The man who helped kick-start KCOnline has left under strained relations with investors and will launch a rival Internet service provider.

Phil Lewis said Tuesday he hopes to establish the new ISP - to be known as Kingdom Communications - within a few days. It will compete directly with KCOnline, which Lewis helped build into the biggest local connection to the Internet.

Lewis said he severed ties with KCOnline this week after repeated efforts to overcome differences with the main investor, Wendell Whitman.

As competition brews between the two ISPs, the bottom line could be improved opportunities for customers. Whitman vows to continue to make improvements to enhance service.

Lewis, who organized the business nearly two years ago, said he was upset with the lack of a contract between him and investors and with the direction of customer service.

He characterized his departure from KCOnline as "very disappointing."

According to Lewis, Whitman incorporated the company without Lewis' knowlege and had been unwilling to sign a contract stipulating Lewis' stake in the company.

Whitman stepped in about a year ago and bought out original investors to help shore up finances.

KCOnline has more than 2,000 customers, Whitman said.

Lewis announced his decision, in part, to save his reputation in the community and announce plans for a competing ISP.

Lewis said he has investors and a staff ready to begin operations as soon as an office location is secured. He said he has been looking at a few locations.

Lewis said Kingdom Com will encompass better marketing techniques and faster equipment, including fiber optics.

Whitman, a local insuranceman who serves as vice president of KCOnline, declined to explain the circumstances that led to Lewis' departure, but agreed he and Lewis had differences of opinion in the direction of the company and his role with the company.

Lewis said he was also bothered by the way the company was expanding service and failing to expand capabilities. The result in recent months was a lack of available lines that left customers with busy signals.

The problem was alleviated for the meantime with the installation of more modems, which has helped eliminate busy signals. Service was interrupted this week, though, as more upgrades were made, Whitman said.

More upgrades involving E-mail and the ability to carry data will be made within a few weeks, Whitman said.

"I'm very bullish about what's going to happen with KCOnline," Whitman said.

"We've made significant upgrades in the last two weeks," he said. "We're here to stay." [[In-content Ad]]